How to Stay on Track as a Teacher

29.01.2026

8 minutes

Tips & Strategies
Methodology

It might sound like a joke, but the teacher is a combination of the educator, methodologist, psychologist, manager, marketologist, and SMM manager nowadays.

This profession combines so many diverse skills that a person should possess. So, it might seem overrated.

A constant busy schedule and an inferiority complex might lead to burnout, self-doubt and a desire to quit everything.

So, how to stay on track as a teacher? How to stay interesting and interested?

Let’s get to know it.

Take care of yourself

Having luxury is good sleep, nutrition, physical exercises and no stress. Adult version in the modern world, huhuh. However, Insta life tries to prove us the opposite.

People are getting more and more fed up with this “successful success” all the time.

Being overproductive and having a busy schedule should be out of trend. The teacher should be well-aware of their bandwidth and current circumstances. Don’t overbook. Burnout kills inspiration faster than anything.

It is great to schedule “no-teaching days” for reflection or rest.

Being busy doesn’t correspond to being productive, effective or mentally stable. The last one is at all, for sure. Teaching, like any other occupation, should not be a priority above everything else.

Private life exists for something, right? So, take advantage of that.

It’s so important to keep a balance between a teaching identity and a personal life.

Celebrate Small Wins

It’s always about praising the students ‘cause they are amazing. So what about praising yourself then, ‘cause you are like that, huh?

The students’ progress is the teacher’s accolade. So, analyse changes, revisit old lesson plans—see how far your students (and you!) have come.

Notice how much better the students speak, or do grammar exercises, how much faster they learn new words and understand explanations. How much faster they grasp.

Changing something in the teaching methods or behaviour is work, too. Tremendous one.

And a kind reminder: organising the workload and taking care of yourself is a small win, too.

Keeping a “success notebook” where the teacher writes down all these small wins is one of the great ways to state it. Praising or sharing that with colleagues is another level of admission and support to give a try to.

Keep Learning Yourself

Teaching others means that you learn yourself, too. And this is a lifelong process.

There is no such thing as to learn a language till the end. Just learn. Throughout the way.

The language tends to change due to some reasons and the popularity of usage. So, it’s transforming all the time. As the language changes, the teacher has to, as well.

So, what does this learning include?

Following changes

Some words become outdated or useless, like « shall » for Future Simple. Instead, it’s used as a suggestion. « Shall we do this exercise? »

Vice versa, some new phrases appear and are on the lips. New English words reflect modern life.

So, it includes terms like:

athleisure (athletic and leisure wear),
deepfake (an altered image or video),
doomscrolling (scrolling through bad news),
delulu (short for delusional),
cancel culture (the practice of withdrawing support for public figures or companies after they have done something considered objectionable or offensive).

And it’s not about amusement, it’s real language in all its manifestations.

To be the first one to know some insights and share them with the students is a real buzz for them. And for the teacher. That’s about learning yourself, too.

Taking short courses or webinars

Even a 1-hour session can give new teaching ideas.

Modern teaching is not about one old book with grammar exercises that are already covered with dust. Not appealing, no, no. Modern teaching is complex, full of different sources, extra methods, a somewhat individual approach and many others.

Reading about education trends

Articles on student motivation, AI tools for teaching, or language pedagogy, etc. As it was mentioned, just teaching isn’t enough.

The teacher should motivate, encourage, and sometimes push the students. Of course, the result is possible thanks to mutual eagerness.

Nonetheless, so much responsibility is on the teacher’s fragile but strong shoulders. So, the teacher has to learn how to optimise such processes for themselves. It will save so much energy and precious time.

Learning a new skill or language

It reminds what it feels like to be a student again. Maybe, not from a positive side, huh.

The teacher can start learning a certain language from scratch and experience some forgotten hardships. It might help to understand their students better and be more patient.

The teacher might think: “It’s easy peasy lemon squeezy.” But for the students, it’s not. Absolutely not.

The teacher explains this topic for the 11th time, for example. And they look through that only their second time. So, being kind to them is a must.

Nonetheless, inspiration grows when you feel like a learner too. So definitely it brings benefits.

Reflect Regularly

The teacher should always know the strengths and weaknesses of their lessons. They can do that with the help of trackers and examine how many lessons, what level.

Ask themselves questions:

“Which lessons made me feel alive lately?”
“Which ones drained me?”
“Which ones were effective?”
“Which ones were difficult for both students and me?”

After every single question, the next one should be leading: “Why?” Picking up the brain will help to find the answers and change something in the mindset and consciousness.

In such a way, the teacher can adjust their approach based on that. And simplify it. The lessons won’t be effective if the mentor is overwhelmed, drained or not motivated. A tremendous amount of work time matters a lot.

Reimagine Teaching Goals

Any occupation is much more captivating when there’s something new. There is a saying: “If you want to gain something that you have never had, you need to do something that you have never done.”

No limits in teaching as a profession, and something new to try on. The teacher can give a try at such things at first.

Set a new professional challenge

What does it mean? To surround yourself with quite creative but educational stuff.

For example:

“I’ll create 5 interactive lessons this month.”
“I’ll try teaching without a textbook for one week.”
“I’ll prepare 2 speaking clubs, A2 and B2 level, for this month.”

It will provide the teacher with some resources, a pinch of creativity and help to recharge by trying something new. Everything will reflect on the students, too. As they give a whirl to new stuff and have versatility.

Start a small passion project

It can be a blog, a YouTube mini-series, posts on Threads, etc. The teachers can share their experience and history of learning and teaching.

A small part of everyday life won’t leave subscribers impressed.

Bring Creativity into Your Teaching

Something extraordinary may water down the atmosphere and the learning process. Here is what to do:

Use visuals, storytelling, or roleplay to make abstract topics more alive. As different kinds of activities are evolved, it will never make the students bored. BTW, they never know what to wait for, so their brains are more concentrated. The same, it’s cool for the teachers to switch.

Let students create something–a poster, mini podcast, or presentation–instead of only doing exercises. Let’s be honest, it saves the teacher from making the lesson, it will be made by students, huhuh. Anyway, they need to show their creativity and enthusiasm, too. They need to master their social skills, performing and presenting everything. It’s a good practice to take advantage of.

Turn grammar or vocabulary lessons into projects with real-life outcomes (e.g., writing advice for newcomers, recording a “mini lesson”). It is not just about creativity, but practical tasks. Overall, when lessons become creative, both you and your students feel the spark again.

Mix Up Lessons

Mixing up stems from the previous topic. How to make it even more creative?

Try AI-assisted exercises

In the modern world, so many contradictory opinions exist concerning AI. It is bad when the students use it for their homework.

But what about the teacher? Cannot AI be used for preparation?

Sure, everything should be well-checked aftermath. The teacher can choose a topic, activity, level, write a prompt and save time not looking up for something suitable and waste hours.

And this is not a crime. This is a helping tool, that’s it.

Experiment with themes

Sure, there is a book and a plan to stick to, too. However, sometimes it can be chosen, replaced or added. Even in the form of a speaking club.

The teacher had better choose topics that interest them as a teacher — music, art, travel, mental health, personal growth, etc.

Whatever. Let the students sometimes choose topics – their enthusiasm can recharge the teacher’s. The teacher can never know what to expect from them—conspiracy theories, trends of TikTok, friendship drama, pros and cons of school uniforms and homework.

Actually, every topic will be interesting if participants are engaged.

Connect with Other Teachers

Nobody will understand the teacher better than another teacher. A lot in common makes people closer, and they always know what to discuss.

Join some groups on Telegram chats for teachers, follow Instagram and Threads pages.
Share materials, challenges, stories from the lessons and overall communication. Beyond the question, sharing small wins. A community of like-minded people is always a motivation.
Co-teach a workshop or exchange lessons with another tutor for fun. Share some books, guides, resources, etc.

Mind the Feedback

Sometimes it seems like you are stuck. Reflecting on why the teacher has started tutoring will help to grow and reassess everything. It helps to develop, connect, and express themselves.

Tracking the progress with the students’ feedback might become a lifesaver.

If there is no such practice, it is high time to start. Analysing feedback (both positive and negative) helps to evaluate tutoring and make some improvements.

Hopefully, without negative feedback. However, it is inevitable. And, actually, not so bad.

It gives a point to work on and has a root cause. So, accepting constructive feedback is one more skill to master. They work on changes for the better.

That is how the teacher can remember the purpose, get back on track. BTW, keep a few thank-you messages or student feedback visible near your desk. It will prove to the students that they are important.

It gives a tighter connection and even deeper mutual respect.

On hard days, both the teacher and the students can reread all of those comments. It really works.

Find Inspiration Outside of Teaching

Not by teaching alone! Whatever might leave an impression will work.

Watching films, reading books, or travelling — real life fuels ideas for the teacher. The book can bring new words or food for thought. Or something relaxing is already enough. The film might bring up some interest and a topic for discussion. Travelling is new emotions and lifelong memories, beyond question. Such a recharge to fill up with energy!

Getting to know other fields. New is always scary but interesting. Visiting a pottery workshop, joining a discussion about women in science, visiting an art gallery, knitting something, baking cinnabons with the Internet recipe, having a pyjama party, going to the theatre… Either a catch up with close friends or even a new circle of communication will bring a lot of sparks to mundane life.

The teacher can teach language through anything that moves them. It can be whatever except for some ideas mentioned above. The teacher can choose whatever works for them and only enlarge this list.

Reflecting on how a teaching philosophy evolves over time is precious. Inspiration often returns when the teacher steps out of routine and into experimentation.