Written by Lori Schulte Trenkamp, Yoga in the Schools Instructor
Students from Cascade High School doing a journaling activity
"It was a reminder that when something is easier, it doesn’t always mean it’s easy. It was also a reminder that stress will always exist." - Lori Schulte Trenkamp
As I prepared to embark on my second year of teaching Yoga in the Schools, I thought a lot about how much easier this year would be and how ready I was to jump back into teaching.
However, I may have been looking slightly more towards the brighter side than the realistic side.
As a first year teacher I had all kinds of worries, but these were some of the most predominate:
Would I be good at this job?
Would the kids enjoy my days with them?
Would I be able to adequately represent this amazing organization?
Throughout the year, however, I learned ways to work through these thoughts and emotions.
I learned to utilize the mantra, “I can adapt” and figured out how to let go of some old control freak habits to be more flexible with the flow of schools.
I developed a thick skin as I walked into different middle schools and learned to relish when a kid told me how much they loved yoga days.
That reminder helped me prepare for the next morning walk through middle school halls as I heard “Ugh! Yoga day? No way!” from middle schoolers trying to fit in with their friends.
I learned that middle school is VERY different from high school- eighth graders and freshmen are completely different beings!
I left the school year knowing that I had learned many things not only about teaching, but also about myself as a person.
As I approached my second year of teaching Yoga in the schools, I thought, “I’ve got it all figured out. This year is going to be so stress-free and easy,” and “I’ll get to see a lot of these same kids. They know me- it’ll be like a little reunion! I am matched with many of the same schools, so everything should be the same, right!?” Ha!
A handful did act like this and were happy to see me, but many acted as if they’ve never laid eyes on me- likely because they’re too cool to act excited to see any adult. It was a reminder that when something is easier, it doesn’t always mean it’s easy.
It was also a reminder that stress will always exist.
A lot of this stress comes from change. Many schools have a totally different schedule, new teachers, a new outlook on how classes should run, and more changes to adapt to.
Not to say change is bad- only that it comes with a new set of stress.
With that change was the realization that I have also changed…and my self talk changed with it.
I began to remind myself that:
I am different.
I have a different outlook and attitude than last year.
I am even more passionate about our mission than I was last year.
I am determined to reach even more kids this year.
I have new ideas for managing behavior and getting kids engaged.
I am more confident with the lessons we teach.
I am putting even more energy into this job than I did last year.
I am a life-long learner and constantly changing.
We all are, really, even if we’re not trying. And now the kids I had last year have to adapt to the new me right along with me adapting to the new them.
As I work through my second year of teaching, I will remember no year is easy and every year will be different. However, like all aspects of my life, I will always change and become better, continuing to grow alongside my teachers and students.
Peace,
Lori Schulte Trenkamp
P.S. Supporting a teen in your life? Check out our Guided Mindfulness for Teens album. It's FREE to download.
If you have a teen that would benefit from videos of movement and mindfulness, consider signing up for the C2C Kids Hub!
It's our online wellness platform exclusively for kids and teens.
New mindfulness and yoga content is always being added so your teens can try out and find what strategies work for them.
Plus, you can try it out with a FREE 2-week trial!
~Lori