Living Your Values in the Classroom: The Connection Between Beliefs, Pedagogy, and Personhood

New teachers face challenges as they acclimate to the profession. One of the toughest obstacles is finding ways to hold onto beliefs about teaching and students when faced with systemic obstacles. In this reflective essay, a second-year teacher describes the challenges she has faced, as well as the strategies she uses to maintain both her belief-system and her passion for teaching. The essay ends with recommendations for both new and experienced teachers to match values with actions for the preservation of self and benefit of students