Dear Teacher, You Don’t Have to Be Everything to Everyone This Year

Dear Teacher,

As the school year approaches, your to-do list is growing, the bulletin boards are waiting, the lesson plans are looming and the emails are already trickling in. Before your first student even walks through the door, your mind is racing to keep up.

So before the year begins, I want to pause and say something you may not hear enough: You don’t have to be everything to everyone this year.

I know you care deeply. I know that you want to create a safe, welcoming space for every child. I know that you’re thinking not just about curriculum, but about the anxious student who might cry at drop-off, or the one who's home life keeps you up at night. I know that you're planning creative ways to teach, while also worrying about test scores, behavior plans, and staying within district policies.

Your heart is big. It's beautiful. But it’s also not sustainable to keep pouring from an empty cup. If you’ve ever wondered whether you're doing “enough,” I promise you: your presence matters more than perfection.

You are not a machine. You are not responsible for fixing every problem, meeting every need, or carrying the emotional weight of every student, family, and colleague. And while you're trained to care for others, you deserve care, too.

You are allowed to set boundaries. You are not their therapist, savior, or superhero. You can care deeply without sacrificing yourself.

So this year, may you move a little slower. May you soften your expectations.
May you remember that your worth isn’t tied to perfection. May you allow yourself the same compassion you give to others so freely.

With gratitude and support,

Christen Clark (a mental health therapist who sees you)