Am I Even Making A Difference
Click here for the YOUTUBE version of this post.
Welcome to our yearlong series on Classroom Management by Design for Primary Teachers. Each week we will give you a new piece to the classroom management puzzle to have in place when you need it this school year. Think of it as a Lego kit just waiting to be built.
Classroom Management by Design for Primary Teachers: Am I Even Making a Difference?
The school halls are quiet now, and I hope you're finding a moment to catch your breath. If you're tuning in during your well-deserved break, thank you for being here. I'm so glad you're taking some time for yourself.
Let's take a deep breath together. (Pause) This was quite the school year, wasn't it? If you're feeling exhausted right now, you're not alone. Summer break can bring relief, but also uncertainty. When the classroom goes silent and the days slow down, doubts can sneak in. You might even find yourself wondering: "Am I even making a difference?"
Naming the Quiet Doubt
If that question has been weighing on your heart, let's acknowledge it. Am I even making a difference? It's a thought many dedicated teachers have, even if we don't say it out loud. Maybe you're a new teacher who gave your all this year and you're unsure if it was enough. Or you're a veteran teacher who had a tough class and wonder if anything you did truly stuck. Why does this doubt creep in, especially for those of us focused on helping every child? It creeps in precisely because you care deeply. The fact that you're asking means you take your work to heart. Often, the teachers who worry they aren't making a difference are the ones pouring everything into their students. You might fixate on the one student who was still struggling or that one day that went wrong, and forget the many quiet successes.
Invisible Impact, Real Meaning
Here’s a gentle truth: so much of a teacher's impact is invisible, at least at first. We plant seeds that we might not see grow right away. As the historian Henry Adams said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” (medium.com). Your influence goes far beyond the here and now.
Let me share a quick story. Years ago, I had a second grader who struggled with reading. By June I felt I'd failed her because she was still behind. Two years later, she sent me a letter from fourth grade thanking me for helping her love reading (choiceliteracy.com). She said she was reading chapter books because I never gave up on her. I had no idea! That letter lives in my “smile file” – a box of notes and drawings I look at whenever I start to doubt myself.
I encourage you to start your own smile file (choiceliteracy.com). Save those thank-you notes, the crayon drawings, or even jot down little moments that made you smile. When doubt creeps in, pull out those reminders — and even if you didn't receive a thank-you note this year, remember the small moments: a student’s grin when they finally got something, the child who grew more confident, or the shy kid who made a friend because of your welcoming classroom. So much of what you did lives on in your students – they may not say it now, but they will carry the kindness and knowledge you gave them.
Reflection and Affirmation
Now that it's summer, you can reflect and recharge. Here are a couple of gentle journal prompts you might explore (I’ve listed these in the show notes if you want to revisit them later):
Journal Prompt: Write about a moment this year that brought you joy or pride as a teacher. What happened, and why did it mean so much to you?
Journal Prompt: Think of a student you worried you didn’t reach. Imagine a few years from now, that student sends you a note. What might they thank you for or remember about you?
And while you reflect, please speak kindly to yourself. Here are a few affirmations to remind you of what’s true:
“I am making a difference, even when I can’t see it.”
“I deserve the rest and care that I give to others.”
“I am enough, and what I do is enough.”
Closing Encouragement
As we wrap up, know this: you are making a difference. It might not be obvious today, but it is real – in the child who felt safe in your room, and in the small victories along the way. Teaching can feel thankless in the moment, but often the gratitude appears quietly over time.
Now give yourself permission to rest and recharge. You've poured so much into your students; it's time to refill your own cup. Reconnect with what brings you joy outside of school. Read a book for fun, spend time with loved ones, or simply enjoy some quiet moments for yourself. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish – it’s essential for a heart that gives so much.
Thank you for everything you do for your students. You are appreciated more than you know. So whenever that little voice asks, "Am I even making a difference?" you can answer: Yes, I am.
Until next time, take gentle care of yourself and keep shining.
Manage Student Behavior in 5 Minutes a Day!
Do you see student behavior going through the roof right about now?
Have you tried EVERYTHING and NOTHING seems to work?
Trust me, I've been there!
This is EXACTLY why I created The Student Behavior Scenario of the Day Cards for primary teachers. You will improve student behavior AND your classroom management in just 5 minutes a day!
As teachers, we can't assume that students know how to behave or what is expected of them and so often that is where things go wrong for us. (We all know what happens when we ''assume", but yet we still do it anyway.)
These cards changed EVERYTHING for me in the primary classroom because students LOVE talking about behavior AND they want to meet your expectations.
Best of all, each card has scenario of the day, reflection questions, and possible consequences that teachers can use in each situation.
GRAB YOUR FREE SAMPLE HERE: Student Behavior Scenario of the Day Cards
DID YOU KNOW…
Did you know I organize a FREE Facebook Group for Mastering Classroom Management? We are gearing up for our school year quarter sessions, so if you’re looking for a simple way to improve your classroom management join the already 200+ teachers that have signed up: Mastering Classroom Management Facebook Group
Your ebook GIFT: Empowering Primary Teachers: Effectively Manage Disruptive and Violent Behaviors in the Classroom
FINALLY…
If you enjoyed the tips in this post, you might also enjoy this series of videos Classroom Management by Design for Primary Teachers:
Unlock the Key to Supporting Neurodivergent Learners - Without Overwhelm
Finished Early? Now What? 10 Brilliant Ways to Keep Students Engaged Without the Chaos
A Guide to Creating an Intrinsically Motivated Classroom
Expanding AI's Role in the Primary Classroom
Unlock the Power of AI in the Primary Classroom
Supporting a Student Being Bullied
What to do With a Bully in the Primary Classroom
Don’t forget to follow us over on Instagram!
Teach~Relax~Repeat
Lauren
