People go into the teaching profession because they believe they can make a difference in the lives of our youth. Yet, amid the classroom chaos, lack of support, and the ever-evolving changes in education, teachers often find themselves navigating self-doubt in the classroom. When teachers dedicate their lives to their work and do not see the result expected, it can impact teacher efficacy. This nagging feeling can manifest as questions about their effectiveness, impact, and ability to make a real difference. Without support, these feelings can lead teachers to experience stress and burnout.
Understanding Teacher Efficacy and Inefficacy
Teacher efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to impact student learning. In simpler terms, it’s the confidence teachers have in their skills, teaching methods, and the belief that their efforts contribute to student success. Efficacious teachers possess the conviction that they can make a positive difference, even in the face of challenges.
Teacher inefficacy is the belief that a teacher is not making a difference as she expected. The teacher is losing confidence in their skills, teaching methods, or even the educational system itself. Teacher inefficacy impacts the productivity of the teacher. It gets harder and harder for the impacted teacher to give their best because they start to question themselves and their impact on their students.
How Teacher Efficacy Can Show Up
1. Classroom Confidence
Teachers with high efficacy exude confidence in their teaching methods. They believe that the strategies they employ are effective in promoting student understanding and engagement.
2. Resilience in Challenges
Efficacious teachers view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. They bounce back from setbacks, embracing the belief that they can overcome difficulties and adapt their approaches.
3. Innovation and Experimentation
Teachers with a strong sense of efficacy are more inclined to experiment with innovative teaching techniques. They are open to trying new methods and technologies, confident that their efforts will positively impact student outcomes.
How Teacher Inefficacy Can Show Up
1. Classroom Uncertainty
Teachers dealing with feelings of inefficacy may feel that what they are doing in the classroom is “just not working”. No matter how hard they try, they are not producing the results they expect for the work and time they dedicate to their jobs.
2. Taking Fewer Risks
Teachers experiencing inefficacy take fewer risks than the average teacher. They stick with what is more comfortable for them to avoid disappointments. They are cautious about trying new methods based on the experience they had with previous new methods.
3. Assessment Focused
Inefficacy can impact any data-driven teacher. All teachers must rely on assessments to inform their instruction. However, additional pressure can be placed on teachers from administrators and their school district to raise test scores. Many school districts give financial incentives to teachers with high test scores or those who raise them. This can put additional stress on teachers, especially if they do not have the resources and support needed.
4. Less Joy in Teaching
Teachers experiencing high levels of inefficacy find less joy in their jobs. It is hard to enjoy work when you question your impact. This increases your risk of leaving the profession. You may believe in your students, but feel at a loss on how to reach them. This can cause increased feelings of frustration and hopelessness leading to greater levels of job dissatisfaction.
Teacher inefficacy does not mean that you are a bad teacher, however, it can negatively impact your effectiveness and quality of life. It can be caused by a variety of things: lack of autonomy, support, or drive. It can be rooted in increased workloads, standards, or fatigue. Whatever the cause, it is important to correctly identify it to better focus your solutions. To help we have included the next section.
Tips for Dealing with Self-Doubt and Boosting Teacher Efficacy
1. Celebrate Small Wins
Acknowledge and celebrate the small victories in your teaching journey. Whether it’s a student mastering a challenging concept or a successful classroom activity, recognizing these wins reinforces your belief in your ability to make a difference.
2. Reflect on Past Successes
Reflect on past teaching successes. Remember the moments when you saw the light bulb go off in a student’s mind or received positive feedback. These reflections serve as reminders of your impact and service.
3. Set Realistic Goals
Establish achievable goals for yourself and your students. Breaking down larger objectives into manageable steps allows you to experience success incrementally, reinforcing your belief in your ability to make a positive impact. Read 5 Tips to Help Teachers Deal with Unmet High Expectations for more resources on realistic goals.
4. Visualize Success
Practice visualization techniques where you imagine successful teaching scenarios. Visualization can positively influence your mindset, boosting confidence and reinforcing the belief in your ability to create a meaningful impact.
5. Embrace Your Best
Give your best effort every day and be satisfied knowing that you did the best you could with the resources and support available to you. View challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than as indicators of inadequacy.
Bonus
Remember that your impact on the lives of students is immeasurable. Your impact reaches far beyond scores on a sheet of paper. Your influence can help a child dream bigger, reach higher, and strive for more than ever imagined. Most of the time, teachers do not see the difference they make in the lives of their students. That growth or success may not be seen until years to come. Just know that your students and the world are better because of your contribution.
In education, standards and expectations are high which makes self-doubt a common feeling among teachers. However, by understanding and nurturing teacher efficacy, educators can transform self-doubt into a catalyst for growth and persistence. Embracing confidence in doing your best, celebrating successes, and continually seeking opportunities for improvement are the keys to navigating self-doubt in the classroom and unlocking your full potential as an educator. Remember, you have the power to make a lasting impact on the lives of your students and we thank you for answering that call.
