The ABCs of Teaching: Affirmations for Teachers

Teacher interacting with kids in class with tablet
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Teaching is a dynamic, rewarding, and challenging career, but some days can test the mettle of even the most passionate teachers. One strategy for banishing negativity from your job outlook is to use positive affirmations. This uplifting list of affirmations can brighten your spirit and be a reminder of all the things you love about teaching.

A

  • I am adventurous. I want my students to come to class wondering what adventure we will have today.  I am constantly searching for ways to engage my students, to make learning fun, and avoid the status quo.
  • I am aware. I understand that each of my students are individuals who face unique challenges, have individual learning styles, and have their own strengths and weaknesses.

B

  • I am beloved. I am leaving behind a legacy. The lessons I teach my students will last a lifetime. My students think highly of me and will cherish the time we were able to spend together.
  • I am big-hearted. I know that many of my students fight personal battles that I cannot begin to fathom. I love my students and wish I could give each of them the life they deserve.

C

  • I am collaborative. I engage parents, students, community members, and other teachers in the educational process.
  • I am creative. I resourcefully pull together activities and resources and mold them into engaging lessons that my students respond positively to.

D

  • I am determined. I will not give up on any student. I will find a way to make a difference. I am relentless in my pursuit of educating every student.
  • I am diligent. I leave no stone unturned. If there is a way, I will find it. I love every phase of my job and attack each aspect ferociously.

E

  • I am encouraging. I talk my students up. I tell them they can do it, when others tell them they can’t. Our mindset is positive. We can accomplish anything.
  • I am engaging. I keep my students focused. I have attention grabbers built into every lesson. Once I have them hooked, I know they can and will learn.

F

  • I am focused. I have professional goals that I am determined to achieve. I know where I need to get my students, and I have a plan to get them there.
  • I am friendly. I greet everyone with a smile. I laugh and joke with my students so that they know I am not a robot. I am approachable and easy to talk to.

G

  • I am grateful. I do not take for granted the opportunities and tasks that are bestowed on me. It is an honor to work with the students I am given.                                                                                    
  • I am growing. I understand my strengths and weaknesses. I am continuously seeking out valuable professional development opportunities to help me improve.

H

  • I am hard working. I often arrive early and stay late. I am continuously thinking about how to improve and conduct regular research to find tools to do my job better.
  • I am honest. I do not hide who I am or what I do. I answer each question truthfully and own up to mistakes when I make them.

I

  • I am inspiring. I want to be an example for my students. I want them to become a better person as a result of the interactions that we have together.
  • I am interactive. My classroom is student centered. We conduct regular hands-on, exploratory activities. My students take ownership in projects and lessons.

J

  • I am just. I am always fair. I carefully weigh any decision taking the “who and what” into consideration. No decision is taken lightly.
  • I am joyful. I celebrate with my students when they are successful. This is not limited to my classroom. I believe that all successes should be celebrated jubilantly.

K

  • I am kind. I help my students when I know they need assistance. I check on them when they are sick and let them know I care when they lose someone.
  • I am knowledgeable. I am a content expert. I understand how to use instructional strategies, regularly incorporate technology, and differentiate instruction to reach every student.

L

  • I am likable. I relate well to my students. I work hard to find a common ground. I talk to my students about my hobbies and interests.
  • I am lucky. I have been blessed with an opportunity to make an impact. It is not something I take lightly. Every day I have the ability to make a difference.

M

  • I am modern. I will not be teaching the same way five years from now. I change with the times and keep things fresh. I am always updating my classroom and methodology.
  • I am motivating. I bring out the best in my students. I am ever aware of which students require extra prodding and find ways to reach them.

N

  • I am noble. I hold myself accountable for my actions and have high expectations for myself. I strive to set an example by having outstanding character.
  • I am nurturing. I foster relationships with my students. I learn which students respond to constructive criticism and which students require a more gentle approach.

O

  • I am organized. Everything in my classroom has a place. Organization aids with preparation and ultimately keeps the flow of the classroom going in the right direction.
  • I am original. There is only one of me. I am unique. My classroom and my style are my own creation. What I do cannot be duplicated.

P

  • I am prepared. All my materials are ready to go well in advance of the lesson. I plan for surprises and over plan so that there is little downtime.
  • I am professional. I conduct myself appropriately inside and outside of my school. I adhere to each of the professional expectations of my district.

Q

  • I am quick-witted. I can respond quickly and appropriately to student comments or actions in a manner that quickly diffuses a potentially tense situation.
  • I am quirky. I can be unconventional, outlandish, and crazy because I know that my students respond positively to that.

R

  • I am reflective. I am constantly evaluating my approach and making changes. I reflect on what I can change to make improvements on a daily basis.
  • I am respectful. I give respect to each student because I know it is the only way to earn their respect. I value each person as an individual and embrace their differences.

S

  • I am safe. Nothing matters to me more than keeping my students safe. I will lay down my own life if necessary. My classroom is a safe haven for all of my students.
  • I am structured. I have well-established expectations and procedures. I hold my students accountable for their actions. Distractions are kept to a minimum.

T

  • I am tactful. I am diplomatic and choose my words carefully because I know my words can be turned against me. There are times that I bite my tongue because what I have to say can only get me in trouble.
  • I am thoughtful. I care about those I work with and recognize their contributions. I go out of my way to show my appreciation for my co-workers who do an outstanding job and make mine easier.

U

  • I am underappreciated. There are people who discount me because I teach. There are people who do not like me because I teach. My students know my value, and that is what matters to me.
  • I am unselfish. I am willing to go the extra mile for my students. I arrive early or stay late to tutor struggling students. I make sacrifices so that my students have every opportunity to be successful.

V

  • I am valuable. What I do matters. My students are better off for having me as a teacher. I bring value in ensuring that every student shows significant gains during their time with me.
  • I am versatile. I am able to change my approach to fit the learning styles in my classroom. I can teach multiple subjects across multiple grade levels effectively.

W

  • I am whimsical. I take advantage of teachable moments. I understand that some of the most memorable lessons will be those that I did not plan to teach.
  • I am willing. I will do whatever it takes to ensure that each student is successful. I am willing to find the answers to the tough questions. I am flexible in my approach.

X

  • I am xenodochial. I welcome anyone to visit my classroom. I want to be an integral part of my community and as such I talk to any constituent that I can about our school and education.
  • I am an X factor. I am a difference maker. I could be the one teacher with the ability to reach that student that no one has been able to reach before.

Y

  • I am yielding. I understand that some things are beyond my control. There will be occasional interruptions, and I must be flexible and go with the flow.
  • I am youthful. I may get older, but seeing me students learn fuels me. It excites me and invigorates me when a student has an “aha” moment.

Z

  • I am zany. I am willing to make crazy deals with my students if it motivates them. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty if it pushes my students to put more effort into learning.
  • I am zealous. I am passionate about teaching and learning. No one can question my commitment to the profession or to my students.
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Your Citation
Meador, Derrick. "The ABCs of Teaching: Affirmations for Teachers." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/i-am-a-teacher-the-abcs-of-teaching-3194708. Meador, Derrick. (2023, April 5). The ABCs of Teaching: Affirmations for Teachers. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/i-am-a-teacher-the-abcs-of-teaching-3194708 Meador, Derrick. "The ABCs of Teaching: Affirmations for Teachers." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/i-am-a-teacher-the-abcs-of-teaching-3194708 (accessed March 28, 2024).