In my first year of teaching (even most of my second), every day I stepped into the classroom, I stepped out of my comfort zone. In my third year, I’ve noticed that I feel pretty comfortable, and the day to day work of being a teacher feels normal. This isn’t a bad thing in itself, but I’ve found that feeling comfortable as a teacher has re-sensitized me to leaving my comfort zone. I really believe that you should do things that make you feel uncomfortable (to varying degrees) as often as you can in order to grow and avoid the dreaded rut.

As a teacher, specifically in that first year or two, you’re so open to trying new things because everything has that tinge of discomfort that comes with trying something new. Once you become comfortable as a teacher, I think it becomes really important to force yourself out of your comfort zone and keep trying new things in the classroom. It’s easy to fall into a routine, and while having a routine is important for you and your students, it’s also important to have an open mind and keep things fresh and flexible.