Fake It Until You Make It

I've been in education for 18 years and the one phrase that always comes up again and again is "Fake It Until You Make It". Whether you are new to education or you're not an educator at all, you may be wondering what I am talking about, so let me explain. 

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It's Monday morning. You woke up late, your dog got out of the house and ran off. You spent 10 minutes circling the neighborhood at 6:30 a.m. screaming "SCOUT" as loud as you could, only to find him squatting and peeing in your front yard when you arrive home. You then have to get to school where you know you will walk in late with a pile of things you left for Monday morning out on your desk. The bell is about to ring and students are waiting outside to come in and start their day. What do you do? You "Fake It Until You make It"! You take a giant drink of coffee, turn on some calming music, put a smile on your face, and greet those cherubs outside of your door just like you would any other day. You lift up your shoulders and make those kids think you had the best darn morning ever, so they can have the best darn day ever. 

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It's Wednesday and you are exhausted, wondering how it can only be Wednesday. It is 2:00 and your students have been trying your patience ALL DAY LONG. You are in the middle of a math lesson and notice they are talking and off task. Inside your head, you are thinking of every other job you could be doing instead of this one, BUT, on the outside you are smiling and energetic. You have everyone get up for a quick movement brain break. You let those kids know that you need a brain break- not them- and do something silly. You "Fake It Until You Make It" because it not only helps your students, but it helps you break out of the negative thought process. They smile, maybe laugh or giggle. You are now ready to switch gears and either teach the content in a different, more engaging way, or continue on from where you left off because that little break was enough for both of you. 

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It's Friday and all week you have been heading home immediately after work to more stress and chaos. Exhausted doesn't even begin to describe how tired you are. Maybe you are going through a rough spot in your marriage? Maybe your kids are in every sport imaginable and you are balancing being a working mom by grading papers or planning while watching a softball  or baseball game? Maybe you have a loved one who has been sick and you are balancing being there for that person and teaching 30 students on a daily basis? Whatever your situation is, by Friday we really have to put on our acting shoes and you've guessed it, "Fake It Until You Make It"! This is the day that you will get that Emmy nomination.

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Today is the day that your students need you the most, and you are the most worn out. You will fake smile SO HARD today that your cheeks will hurt. You will be energetic and enthusiastic while repeating the same direction for the umpteenth time today. Today is the day of all days that you need to be the STAR of the show and let those cherubs know that you are there for them through the end. They will see this and will try harder for you today. The students that have challenged you all week will challenge you more today than other days because they are tired too. Try to remember they haven't had practice with "Faking It Until They Make It" and be as patient as you can. 

No one told me that I would have to be an actress when I became a teacher. I have learned over the years that my students see right through me. When I am frustrated or stressed, they can sense that. If I cannot pretend like learning about rocks is the best thing that ever happened to me in this world, then why would my students see the importance of that skill? Putting a smile on your face when you are most stressed out, may seem silly, but it does change the thought process in your head.
 So, if you have been struggling at the start of the school year with feeling stressed, frustrated, or not really interested in what you are teaching, just put a smile on your face and
"Fake It Until You Make It"!