124. I Didn't Sign Up for This: Navigating the Emotional Challenges of Teaching with Special Guest Diane Manswer

Dec 10, 2024

Teaching is an emotional profession, but no one really prepares you for the impact it can have on your well-being. In this episode, author and veteran teacher Diane Manser shares her powerful journey from emotional fatigue to personal empowerment. Discover how embracing the emotional side of teaching can help you thrive, reduce stress, and reclaim your joy in the classroom!

Diane Manser is in her 19th year teaching high school English in a suburban district of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Diane's book is about the emotional challenges of teaching and how teachers can move themselves to empowerment and resilience through intrapersonal awareness. The teaching profession tends to be viewed as a content profession. Diane's mission is to expand the conversation to also include the emotional impacts of teaching, so all people understand the profession more holistically and so teachers' emotional strength is a priority. Her book titled "I Didn't Sign Up For This: One Classroom Teacher's Journey Through Emotional Fatigue to Personal Empowerment" is one part of Diane's mission to empower teachers and to share this important message, so teachers are supported and continue thriving in the profession they want to love. In addition to teaching, Diane is the co-host with Jeff Bradbury of the podcast "Digital Learning Today," she is a wife and mother of two children, and she is a self-proclaimed lover of nonfiction.

TOPICS COVERED:

The Emotional Impact of Teaching
• Teaching as an emotional profession, not just a content profession.

• How emotional fatigue can affect teachers.
Diane Manser’s Journey to Personal Empowerment

• Her experiences with emotional challenges in teaching.

• The process of journaling and turning it into a published book
Diane’s Book: I Didn’t Sign Up For This

• The inspiration behind the title and its connection to teachers’ shared frustrations.

• The book’s focus on moving from emotional fatigue to empowerment.

• Resources in the book, including a book study and discussion questions.
Teachers’ Illusion of Control

• The distinction between being in charge versus being in control.

• Shifting focus from control to influence and empowerment.

5. Introspective Work for Teachers

• The importance of self-awareness in addressing emotional challenges.

• Recognizing triggers and working through them.
Therapy and Emotional Regulation

• Diane’s journey to seeking therapy and the role it played in her growth.

• Insights into therapy as a non-linear process of emotional growth.
Empowerment Strategies for Teachers

• Using “power words” like “I won’t allow” to set boundaries in the classroom.

• Strategies for dealing with challenging student behaviors.

• The importance of assertiveness and boundaries.
Classroom Management Insights

• Handling disruptions like students talking over the teacher.

• Training students to respect the classroom environment.
Teacher Resilience and Longevity

• How emotional awareness and introspection can sustain a teaching career.

• Viewing the new school year as a fresh start to grow stronger.
Advice for Teachers Facing Challenges

• Identifying and isolating specific classroom problems.

• Practical steps for addressing emotional and behavioral challenges.
The Role of Emotional Strength in Teaching

• Recognizing teaching as a holistic, emotional experience.

• How emotional regulation affects classroom performance
Diane’s Website and Additional Resources

• The book’s availability on Amazon and her website (teachingisemotional.com).

• Resources for teachers, including quotes, discussion guides, and free downloads.
The Value of Teacher Stories

• The inclusion of interviews with other teachers in Diane’s book.

• How shared experiences build empowerment and community.
Reframing the Teaching Profession

• Expanding the conversation to recognize teaching as both a content and emotional profession.

• Encouraging teachers to prioritize their emotional well-being.
Balancing Enthusiasm with Assertiveness

• Recognizing the limits of positivity in challenging classroom environments.

• Combining passion with practical strategies for success

CONNECT WITH DIANE:

Website: http://www.teachingisemotional.com
Book: I Didn't Sign Up for This
Instagram: @teachingisemotional

CONNECT WITH BRITTANY:

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MORE ABOUT THE RESILIENT TEACHER PODCAST:

The Resilient Teacher Podcast is the show that will give overwhelmed educators the support, tools, and mindset to reduce teacher burnout and keep teaching sustainable. Each week, Brittany Blackwell, M.Ed. & her guests will share inspiration and actionable steps to avoid or recover from the dreaded teacher burnout. You'll be inspired to individualize self-care and learn to prioritize your well-being and mental health, all while making a bigger impact on your classrooms and community.

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