The Worst Year That Changed My Teaching Forever

One of the hardest years of my career was also one of the most transformational.

It was my first time stepping into a leadership role, serving as team lead for a math department content area. I was excited, nervous, and ready to try.

And then reality hit.

I faced strong pushback from my colleagues. My practices were questioned, and I didn’t know how to handle it. I wasn’t used to that kind of challenge, and honestly, I didn’t respond in ways I’m proud of.

But that year changed me for the better. Looking back, I wouldn’t want to go through it again—but I wouldn’t want it any other way either.

Here are three lessons that continue to shape how I teach and lead today.

1. Everyone Should Be Challenged

One of the defining philosophies at When Math Happens—“Everyone Should Be Challenged”—was born out of that year. My teammates were right: I wasn’t challenging my students enough.

I thought I was protecting them, but in reality, I was coddling them. Students need to be pushed, even if it’s uncomfortable, because growth often doesn't happen inside a comfort zone.

2. Lead with Belief, Not Consensus

In leadership, it’s tempting to wait until everyone is on the same page before moving forward. But real leadership means clarifying what you believe in and taking a stand, even when not everyone agrees.

That doesn’t mean being stubborn. It means having conviction, while staying open to conversation and reflection.

3. Listen for the Nugget of Truth

Critique doesn’t always arrive in a neat, encouraging package. Sometimes it stings. Sometimes it comes in a form that’s hard to accept.

But often, there’s at least a nugget of truth inside the pushback. The best leaders and teachers don’t dismiss it—they mine it for growth.

A Final Reflection

That difficult year was a reminder that growth often comes from trials, not comfort. In fact, the hardest seasons of my career have usually been the ones that sharpened me the most.

If you’re facing pushback, critique, or a season that feels like failure, don’t wish it away. Lean into it. Reflect. Look for the lessons.

Those moments may be exactly what you need for the next chapter of your growth as a teacher—or as a leader.