#176: Why You Are Being Judged For Setting Boundaries As a Teacher

About this episode

This episode discusses the challenges teachers face when setting boundaries and the judgment they may encounter from colleagues.

If you’ve ever: • Declined summer school • Stopped staying late • Refused to work weekends • Asked to meet during contract hours instead of after And been told you’re “not a team player”… This episode is for you. I share the first time I was publicly pressured to work summer school — including the moment admin interrupted my lesson to show me how much money I’d make — and why I still said no. We’re diving into: • Why boundaries trigger coworkers • The hidden rules of martyr teacher culture • Why judgment feels personal • What it actually means when someone resists your boundary • How boundaries create long-term sustainability You’re not being judged because you’re wrong. You’re being judged because you’re different. And different often feels threatening. Let’s unpack it. Next Steps: Download the FREE Teacher Prep Guide Read That New Teacher Next Door (+ bonus training) Join The Present Teacher Circle Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle…

People in this episode

Host: Helena Hains

Topics covered

• setting boundaries
• teacher culture
• work-life balance
• judgment
• sustainability

Keywords

• boundaries
• teacher judgment
• martyr culture
• work hours
• sustainability

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