“If you can make it through this year...you can make it through anything.”

This sounds like the motto for this year, but really, teachers have been working to overcome seemingly unbeatable challenges before this year.  But it’s the systems and supports that you have in place, the strategies you have in your “tool belt”, that will help you in even the most trying of times.  

In this episode, I chat with Sam DiFillipo as he reflects on his journey in education.  He shares how he used organizational strategies and mindset shifts to move from a burned-out teacher to being BURNED-IN!  You will hear about how Sam was able to identify symptoms of burnout which he was able to then use to create the change he needed.  Sam also drops some heavy truths about the power of understanding your teacher brand and how you can use the power of feedback to continue to grow as both an educator and a human.  

Sam DiFillipo has over 10 years of service in the classroom in Catholic schools.  He is currently working in junior high and is a technology coordinator for Saint Joseph School in Fort Wayne, IN. 

In this episode you will:

1. Hear about how Sam was able to diagnose the feelings that he was having as burnout.  (19:40) 
2. Get some ideas of what to do next in your career if you are feeling burned out. (21:00) 
3. Understand how focusing on your teacher brand and organization will keep you out of burnout. (25:10)
4. Understand how other people’s opinions of you can affect your beliefs and habits, both of which can be difficult to break. (34:00) 
5. Know that there is power in collaboration.  If there is someone that you look up to, reach out to them to find out their strategies.   (38:40) 
6. Understand the power of feedback and know that, if you can’t depend on co-workers for feedback, use feedback from your students.  (41:00)

CALL TO ACTION: THINGS YOU CAN DO TOMORROW 

1. Look around. Ask yourself, “Is my classroom and my teaching reflecting my brand? Do I need to start and/or stop some habits I’ve adopted?”
2. Take responsibility, read The 12 Week Year and think about how you can apply that philosophy to your year both personally and/or professionally.
3. Ask for feedback! Reach out to a fellow teacher or get creative about surveying your students.  

FIND OUR GUEST 

Twitter: @HoosierProp

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 

The 12 Week Year by Brian Morgan 

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