Having teacher “besties” is absolutely essential!  Only other educators can truly understand the daily battles—both big and small—that you face and survive. Whether it’s handling an unplanned meltdown, managing an ever-growing stack of paperwork, or coming up with creative ways to engage a class, teachers rely on each other for support. It’s in those shared moments of exhaustion, laughter, and triumph that the true strength of a teaching community is built.  Teacher besties are the ones who lift you up when you’re running on empty, who know exactly what you’re going through, and who make it all just a little bit easier to survive. Because let’s face it: without them (and a lot of coffee), getting through the day would be a lot harder.  

So, if you’re a teacher who’s been in the trenches for a while, make sure to take a new teacher under your wing and offer the support they need to make it past those tough first years. And if you’re a new teacher, find that seasoned mentor—they don’t have to be in your grade level or subject area, just someone who will let you cry when you need to, share snacks from the bottom drawer of their desk, and remind you when it’s time to go home. Having that kind of support can make all the difference.   And as an added bonus you might just find that they become one of your closest friends.