By Shantel Patt — July 30, 2025

“Why are you even still doing this?”

If you’ve been teaching for more than a week, chances are you’ve heard that question — from a friend, a colleague, maybe even from the voice inside your own head. And honestly, on a chaotic Tuesday with your third cup of coffee in hand and zero copies made for your next period, it’s easy to wonder the same thing.

But here’s the truth: deep down, you do know why you’re still here.

You remember the student who never cracked a smile… until one day they did.

 The quiet “thank you” from a parent who finally felt seen.

 The class that somehow just clicked — not because the lesson was flawless, but because something real happened.

 A moment of connection. A burst of laughter. A breakthrough that reminded you, this is why I do this.

Those moments matter.

You matter.

This blog series — Class Is In Session — is for you. The teacher who still believes in your students, even when the system feels broken. The educator who wants to stay in this work, but also wants to stay whole.

Because let’s be honest: you don’t need another binder of strategies or a Pinterest-perfect classroom to make an impact. You don’t need another training telling you to “differentiate instruction” without ever acknowledging how tired you are.

What you do need is joy.

Not fluffy, surface-level joy. But the kind that grounds you. That reminds you who you are. That helps you breathe again in a job that rarely slows down.

Joy isn’t a luxury — it’s essential.

 It’s survival.

 It’s rebellion in a world that expects teachers to give everything and ask for nothing.

 It’s your resistance against burnout, bureaucracy, and the belief that you're only as good as your latest test scores.

This isn’t about becoming the “perfect teacher.” That person doesn’t exist.

 This is about remembering that you're already the right one.

 You just might need to give yourself permission to believe it again.

So if you’re looking for something to help you reconnect with your purpose — not just as a teacher, but as a person — you’re in the right place.

Grab your coffee. Pick up your favorite pen. Maybe even grab a snack.

 Because class is in session.

And this time? You’re the student.

Lesson one: Joy still matters. And it’s still possible — even now.