10 Reasons You Need Teacher Friends

Teaching is not a “go it alone” proposition. I am often advised to “shut the classroom door and just teach”, but to me that feels like a recipe to wither on the vine. A recent trip to New York City with a few of my Planning in Paradise friends, in the midst of an epic blizzard that brought the city to a complete standstill, made me realize why teacher friends are important.

Seeing New York in winter will be FUN, we thought. The city won’t be as crowded in January so it will be PERFECT, we thought. Flights and hotels are so much cheaper so we are being THRIFTY, we thought. 

This was the thinking that brought a few Florida natives and teacher authors, to New York City in an unprecedented blizzard that brought the city to a complete, bone-chilling, stand still. In the end, despite the challenges it was PERFECT. 

This trip also made me realize just why having a great set of teacher friends is important to surviving the land mines and pendulum shifts in education. 

I am so grateful to my friends Robin (Class of Kinders), Cara (Kindergarten Boom Boom), Elaine (Kitty, Kitty Kindergarten), and Cristina (McCrone Love) for this once in a lifetime trip. I still have not stopped smiling!

10 Reasons You Need Teacher Friends

(Everything I Need to Know About Teacher Friendships, I Learned in New York City)

1. When plan A fails, they help you remember that there are 25 other letters in the alphabet.

Things in life (and teaching) don’t always go the way you thought they would. Good friends can help you see the blessing in them. Instead of lamenting that the whole city shut down and there was a total travel ban, we took this once in a lifetime opportunity to dance in the empty streets of New York City!

2. They make their own weather.

In the midst of a storm, you can still have sunshine on the inside.

3. You help each other live your dreams.

A rising tide lifts all boats. When you work together you can make something amazing. 

4. You come together to celebrate victories great and small.

Teacher friends are each others cheerleaders. No. Matter. What. 
In this picture we are celebrating getting tickets to see the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon!

5. You share the belief that attitude is everything.

You can not control the ups and downs on life’s roller coaster, but it helps to ride with people who will face it with a positive attitude.

6. You celebrate and encourage each others passions. (Using jazz hands whenever possible.)

We had the privilege of visiting the Teachers Pay Teachers offices in New York City! We all knew that this is a special place, but visiting the offices took it to a whole new level. They are truly passionate about supporting teachers, building a community that encourages and uplifts everyone who is a part of it, and helping connect teachers with resources to support them.  It is synergy at it’s finest! We all walked away feeling honored to be a part of it!

7.  You all bring your talents to the table to make it work.

This picture shows our friend Cristina who is “in the know” about all things technology and NYC and our friend Elaine who makes us laugh (sometimes until we can not breathe). We needed both of these gifts during our trip. 

8. They know how to laugh and make the best of any situation.

When the city closes, laugh and make the best of it! 

9. You combine your resources to make it all work.

Individually, we can not always make it work, but when we combine resources, the possibilities are limitless. Who knew 2 halves of a sled from the trash could make a “whole” sled?

10. You help each other imagine the possibilities and inspire each other to be your best selves!

This.