If This Is You... Teaching Might Not Be for You

Mar 20, 2026

Teach Like a TopTEN™ Blog

If This Is You… Teaching Might Not Be for You

A real talk blog for teachers who are ready to stop blaming, stop coasting, and start getting better.

Teaching is hard. But let’s be honest — sometimes it’s harder because of the habits, excuses, and weak moves teachers keep repeating. This post is not for everyone. Good. That’s the point.

I remember the exact moment someone called me out.

I was standing at the front of my classroom—again—waiting.

“Class… I’ll wait.”

I had already said it three times.

A few kids snapped to attention.
A few didn’t. It was like popcorn.

And if I’m being honest? I started losing the ones who were doing the right thing.

My savvy kids were practically giving me the side-eye like… she can’t be serious right now.

And there I was—losing time, losing momentum, and getting more frustrated by the second.

Later that day, a coach pulled me aside and said:

“You know, when you say ‘I’ll wait’… you’re actually training them to wait you out. And you’re lowering your expectations for everyone else.”

And just like that—I couldn’t unhear it.

Because she was right.

I didn’t love hearing it. But I was honestly shocked at how ridiculous it sounded once it was pointed out.

And the worst part? I wasn’t the only one doing it. I still hear teachers say it all the time.

The Real Issue

That moment changed how I looked at everything.

Because it wasn’t just about one phrase.

It was about something bigger:

The habits we hold onto
The things we keep doing—even when they’re not working
The way we practice bad strategies into permanence

And here’s the hard truth:

You can change… if you want to.

But some teachers don’t.

And that’s where things fall apart.

So yes—If this is you… teaching might not be for you.

Not because you’re a bad person. But because this job demands a lot—and it demands growth.

If This Is You…

1. You’re not growing

Everyone loves to throw around the “10,000 hours” idea.

But here’s the problem:

If you’re practicing the wrong things, you’re just getting really good at bad habits.

Teaching takes feedback, modeling, coaching, trying, tweaking, failing, and reflecting. Every single day.

If you don’t have a growth mindset, you will stay stuck.

Classrooms don’t improve on autopilot. They improve when teachers do.

2. You won’t do the reps

Let’s be real.

Teaching does take time outside the classroom.

And so do most professional jobs.

You are a professional. That means prepping, planning, creating, and thinking deeply about your students’ experience.

Somewhere along the way, teachers were told not to work beyond contract hours.

I’m going to say it: that mindset will keep you average.

If you love this work, you put in the reps. That’s how you get better.

3. You don’t seek or apply feedback

This one is huge.

If you’re not getting feedback, you’re guessing.

And if you’re not applying feedback, you’re choosing to stay the same.

Read Practice Perfect. Watch great teachers. Invite someone into your room.

Better yet—record yourself teaching and watch it back.

Watch what your students are doing.

Most teachers don’t lack effort. They lack awareness.

4. You blame everything but your practice

In 20+ years, here’s what I’ve seen:

Kids are kids.

Yes, there are challenges. Yes, some groups are tougher than others.

But we all know those teachers who get the “hard” class every year…and still crush it.

That’s not luck. That’s skill.

At some point, you have to ask:

“What am I doing that’s allowing this to continue?”

That question changed everything for me.

5. You’re negative about everything

You’ve heard it before—you’re the sum of the people around you.

So if every conversation is complaining, venting, and blaming… what do you think your classroom feels like?

If you truly don’t like teaching, it’s okay to leave.

But if you stay? Then get better.

Teaching is an incredible career—when you build the skill to do it well. When you improve, the job gets easier. If you don’t, every year will feel just as hard.

The Shift

If you’re still reading this, here’s what I know:

You care.

Because the teachers who don’t? They stopped reading a long time ago.

The best teachers I know aren’t perfect.

But they are constantly asking:

What can I do differently?
What can I improve?
What system can I build so this runs better tomorrow?

What Changed Everything

Everything changed for me when I stopped relying on:

constant reminders
repeating directions
reacting in the moment

And started building around:

✔ Student Voice

✔ High Expectations

✔ Relationships

That’s when my classroom started to run smoother.

That’s when teaching got lighter.

TEACH LIKE A TOPTEN

Keep Building the Classroom You Actually Want to Teach In

Instead of asking,
"What activity can I do?"

Start asking,
"What experience can I create for my students?"

Continue Building

Strong classrooms are built intentionally. Here are a few teacher favorites to help you continue building the classroom you actually want to teach in.

01 The One Ritual That Transformed My Classroom Culture

02 How One 15-Minute Weekly Habit Transforms Classroom Behavior and Classroom Culture

03 Classroom Organization That Builds Community (Not Just a Pretty Room)

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About Sarah Legault

I'm Sarah, founder of the Teachers Empowerment Network, instructional coach, and former classroom teacher with more than 20 years of experience helping students and educators thrive.

My work is built around three core pillars: Student Voice, Relationships, and High Expectations.

After years of trial, error, and refinement in my own classroom, I discovered that the strongest classrooms are not built through more worksheets, more reminders, or more complicated behavior systems. They are built intentionally.

Today, I help teachers build the classroom they actually want to teach in through classroom culture, student ownership, intentional teacher language, lesson design, and the 3 Success Pillars™: Student Voice, Relationships, and High Expectations.

Real Talk. Real Tools. Real Results.

Helping teachers build the classroom they actually want to teach in—one intentional decision at a time.

Culture First. Behavior Second.™

Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share classroom tools and self-care products I've personally used or genuinely believe support effective teaching and teacher well-being. Thank you for supporting the Teachers Empowerment Network aka Top TEN Teachers Network.