We Listen and We Don't Judge; Teacher Edition

Steps to Take When Approaching Challenges at School

Being a teacher today often feels like being caught between a rock and a hard place. You’re juggling curriculum requirements, outdated practices, and the real needs of your students. Time is short and expectations are long, making It easy to feel disheartened.

But what if we approached these challenges with a mindset of “We listen and we don’t judge?" By approaching challenges with empathy and openness, we can find new ways to navigate the complexities of teaching and create meaningful change, while building relationships and strengthening our schools.

Listening without judgment doesn’t mean ignoring problems—it means creating space for constructive conversations. Here’s some of the ways that we can turn this mindset into actionable steps:

1. Listen to the Curriculum (Yes, Really!)

My teacher friends and I often lament how terrible ("trash") we find some of the curriculum we're given. Anybody remember Lucy? And while it’s tempting to label an outdated curriculum as “broken,” if we approach it instead with curiosity we might find it holds some value. Ask yourself what’s working and what’s not? Use your classroom as a testing ground to adapt lessons. Trust your instincts; you know your students best.

2. Support Fellow Teachers

We all have colleagues who are stuck in old habits. Instead of judging, ask questions share your experiences. “How’s this working for you?” or “Have you tried XYZ?” can open doors to collaboration. Remember, change takes time and encouragement.

If we share students, talking about what we are seeing can offer a lot of insight. Are we doing things exactly the same? Maybe we both need to try a new technique? Collaboration feels a lot more empowering than judging what another person is doing that we may view as wrong or unproductive.

Remember also, to maintain positive intent when working with others,

3. Advocate Positively

Advocacy doesn’t have to mean going head-to-head with administration. It’s about finding constructive ways to share ideas, offer solutions, and collaborate for positive change. Present solutions alongside problems. For example, suggest piloting new teaching strategies or propose small tweaks to existing practices. Positivity builds trust and inspires change. How administration reacts is usually a good indicator on whether or not they are truly in your corner. If you've been in education long enough, you recognize the good administrators a mile away.

Next to keeping kids safe, advocating is one of the most important jobs as a teacher. If you can't stay positive as you advocate, it may be time to find a new school.

4. Motivate with Empathy

Teaching is tough, and sometimes we all need a pep talk. Remind your peers (and yourself) that trusting your instincts isn’t rebellion—it’s what makes you a great teacher. Celebrate wins, even the small ones, to keep morale high.

By embracing a “we listen and we don’t judge” mindset, we foster a supportive environment where everyone feels heard. Education might not be perfect, but together, we can make it better—one conversation, one idea, and one classroom at a time.

xo Ms. Martha