Managing Expectations

When I started as an educator, I learned a crucial lesson: perfection isn’t the goal. As a perfectionist, this was a difficult adjustment. I had to accept that things wouldn’t always go as planned, a reality that became clear the moment I stepped into a classroom.

To manage the stress of constant change, I focused on building connections with my students. This is a skill I learned from my time in college marching band. Our director’s “Serviam” philosophy of leadership—which is Latin for “I will serve”—was all about breaking down barriers between leaders and their teams, and moving forward together. This idea of leading from the front resonated with me and has had a huge impact on my teaching. By seeing my students as my partners, it’s easier to handle the unexpected and “roll with the punches” as we navigate our journey together.

Ultimately, the best way to manage expectations is to put yourself in your students’ shoes and ask, “What would I want from a teacher in this moment?” Today, it’s more important than ever to be a real, authentic person in the classroom. You’re simply another adult in their lives, aiming to make a positive impact and teach them something valuable along the way.