I’ve been teaching for about 8 years now, yet it feels like I’m still so far from being an expert.

Every year, the things that I think I should learn just grow by leaps and bounds.

I still consider myself like an amateur teacher, but I want to believe that I’m becoming a more engaged learner.

Here are some of the things that being a teacher has taught me:

1. Be prepared for setbacks.

I notice that I like setting goals for myself, and that doing so always make me meet Mr. Failure.

Internal doubts arrive next after him.

And then, one day when my students and I were playing Teacher vs. Us, a kid went to me and said, “We lost again, Teacher! We always lose. But it’s okay… Nice game! Thank you! Let’s do it again!”

That’s just how most kids are. They celebrate failures.

Now, I still fail…but I choose to embrace them more than ever.

I thank Mr. Failure now.

It gives me the opportunity to learn something new about myself, to begin again, and to love myself more.

2. Recognize that we are all deeply flawed humans.

Regardless of the workplace you are in, I've found that despite your best efforts to maintain cordial interactions with others, they may still take steps to harm you, criticise you, or even assassinate your character. I was liberated once I accepted this truth. I made things worse by avoiding people who were different from me. I discovered that allowing for their flaws to be a part of their overall character is a gift I can give to myself as well.

3. Understand that it is not your responsibility to change others.

Before, I felt so bad when I met some people who would disagree with my teaching thoughts and opinions.

I realized that it was just causing me self-inflicted pain.

My expectation that they would change their minds after our conversation or that they would accept all my ideas…hurt me.
 At the end of my dialogues with other people, deciding to be thankful instead for the new things I learn made me way happier.

4. The best reward I can get from teaching is teaching itself.

Sleepless nights, lesson plans, visual aids, teacher-made materials, 24-hour work hours (emotional and mental investments are unavoidable), weekend compromises are inevitable, whether you work in a small or big school.
 There will always be embarrassments, disappointments, conflicts, and stress.

However, if you are crazy about teaching, these are nothing compared with the free hugs and kisses,
 the endless learning you obtain from the kids and the people around you,
 the overflowing love that goes back to you,
 the self-improvement you gain from teaching itself, 
and oh, lots and lots of laughter!!!

5. Keep in mind that we will all die.

Yup, there’s (unjustly) no money in teaching. But remembering that death is certain will clear up your mind to be sure about the things that are most important for you and to stay focused on those.
 In the face of death, the rest won't matter anyway.

I believe that the one’s time spent in a career is not equal to one’s expertise.

It depends on what kind of learner you are. 
It depends on the depth of love you put into it.

Oh, I’ve been in the teaching profession for almost 8 years, and yet I have so much to learn.