From Adversity to Advantage: Transforming Teaching Challenges into Opportunities
When I first arrived in the United States, I faced a whirlwind of challenges. The culture, language, religion, and especially the educational system were all new to me. As a senior in high school, I dreamed of becoming a teacher, but the path was far from straightforward. My teachers at Shawnee Mission High School had a profound impact on me, but I lacked the courage to pursue education immediately after college.
Instead, I started my career in the airline industry. It was only after earning a master’s degree that I felt ready to step into education. What struck me most was the subtle shift in how I was treated when I transitioned from the airline industry to teaching.
During my time in the airline industry, people often asked me about the glamorous aspects of my job—where I had traveled, what I did, and how exciting it must be. The reality, however, was far from glamorous. My days often started at 4:00 a.m., de-icing aircraft, rebooking canceled flights, and tracking down lost baggage. We traveled on standby because paid passengers got priority. Yet, the perception was that my job was exciting and prestigious.
When I deposited my first teacher paycheck at the same bank, I recall the pride I felt, but the reaction was different. Instead of congratulations, I was met with, “What grade?” followed by, “Bless your heart for dealing with 8th graders.” While others saw teaching as a challenging and thankless job, I saw it as the most rewarding work I could imagine. I got to teach the coolest grade, generate smiles, wear comfortable shoes, and sleep in until 5:00 a.m.! Teaching had its challenges, but it was exactly where I wanted to be.
Dealing with a Negative Mindset and Finding Ways to Rise
When society or those around us emphasize the difficulties of a profession, it can be easy to adopt a negative outlook. In my case, there was a pervasive narrative around teaching—how difficult it was, how underappreciated teachers were, and how challenging students could be. Sometimes, opinions about the district where we work lead to unnecessary comparisons.
This narrative, if internalized, can lead to self-doubt and a focus on obstacles rather than opportunities. I once attended a meeting where someone asked if we see the glass as half empty or half full. I looked around and only saw water bottles. Who cares? The glass isn’t shattered, so we have something to work with! Here are some tips to overcome opinions, whether you’re starting on your first day of teaching or moving forward in a career you’ve long aspired to pursue.
Turning Adversity into Advantage
Instead of letting adversity define us, we can use it to guide our growth and training. As a new teacher, I initially assumed that all my learning had to center around the subject I was teaching. However, I quickly realized that expanding my knowledge and skills beyond my immediate responsibilities was crucial.
For example, when I wanted to engage my students in service learning, I had the support but lacked funding. This challenge pushed me to become skilled at mobilizing the community, seeking support, and applying for grants. Over time, these skills became invaluable, turning what could have been a roadblock into a stepping stone.
Tips for Turning Teaching Adversity into Advantage
- Connect with Colleagues Early On: Building relationships with colleagues can provide valuable support and insights. Take time to learn from their successes and challenges.
- Lunch with Colleagues: Use lunch breaks to connect informally with colleagues, fostering camaraderie and learning from each other’s experiences.
- Visit Different Classrooms: During planning time, visit other classrooms to observe different strategies and techniques. I discovered new ways to display student work, which I then implemented with great results.
- Collaborate on Projects: When there’s excitement for a project, finding time to collaborate becomes easier, even if planning times don’t align. Collaboration can bring fresh ideas and energy to your work.
- Enlist Ideas from Students: When students are involved in generating ideas, their enthusiasm can drive the project to success. Communities often rally behind youth-led initiatives.
- Reach Out to Parents: Parents are an untapped source of support and guidance. They often know the community better than we educators do.
- Take a Risk: I was told I had to cross my T’s and dot my I’s when I began my journey into the grant-writing world, but I thought, “I’m not writing it by hand!” Luckily, I didn’t realize they meant grant writing was challenging. Over time, I became a pro and was even invited to become a grant reader for the U.S. Department of Education.
- Focus on Possibilities: Don’t dwell on what’s lacking. Instead, focus on what can be done with the resources and support available. Sure, we don’t have a budget for the fun things, but we have students, space, and community. The possibilities are endless.
How I Turned a Challenge into Community Mobilization
A few years ago, I wanted to help my English learners understand the significance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s work. After teaching the unit, I challenged them to write about their own dreams. To my surprise, a few students approached me privately, and one confided, “People like us don’t dream.” I was astonished and immediately told them that they had every reason to dream—and to dream big.
Determined to change this mindset, I encouraged them to write about their dreams, offering the option to do so in their native languages to help them express themselves more fully. We incorporated artwork into the project with the goal of displaying it on the bridge wall that would connect the middle school to the high school. However, the project was abruptly halted to make way for the construction of a bridge. My students, disheartened, said, “See? Nobody cares about our work.”
I reached out to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, proposing a partnership. Initially, they informed me that they didn’t exhibit student work, but I met with a coordinator and shared my vision. To my surprise, I was given a slot—within nine days! Despite the tight deadline, I said yes, knowing the challenge to complete such a large project in such a short time. I enlisted the help of my students and their families, and together we made it happen.
When I went to pick up the project after the exhibition, the museum asked if they could keep it. It was an incredible honor. The project culminated in a field trip for all the 7th graders to see their work on display. They were blown away by what they had accomplished together as a community.
Call to Action: Empower Your Staff and Students
If you’re looking to empower your staff with a positive mindset and practical strategies to mobilize your community for the success of all students, I’d love to help. As a speaker, I bring energy, humor, and actionable insights to inspire your team. Let’s work together to create a thriving, supportive environment where both educators and students can flourish. Contact me today to schedule a speaking engagement and start turning challenges into opportunities for your school or organization!
The project, “I Too Have a Dream,” led by Leila Kubesch, a strong advocate for community engagement and partnerships, is dedicated to giving youth a voice and visibility through meaningful projects like this one.
Leila Kubesch is a keynote speaker, speaking coach, and author. Her keynote, The Art of the Ask, shows leaders and teams how to make the ask with confidence. To bring Leila to your event, write to Leila@LeilaKubesch.com.
