Overcoming the Feeling of Failure as a Teacher

Teaching isn’t just about delivering lessons—it’s about shaping lives. So when your students struggle, it’s hard not to take it personally. You start second-guessing everything: Did I explain it well enough? Should I have done more? Where did I go wrong? And sometimes, that little voice creeps in—Am I failing as a teacher?

Not long ago, my class wrote an assessment that I had spent four weeks preparing them for. I had scaffolded everything, practiced with them, and felt so confident they would crush it. But as I started marking, I quickly realized… they didn’t perform the way I had expected, far from it. My stomach dropped, and I got an instant headache. It felt like I had failed myself and them—like all that effort somehow wasn’t enough.

If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. Every teacher—no matter how experienced or passionate—has been there. But here’s the thing: Feeling like a failure doesn’t mean you are one. It just means you care.

So let’s talk about how to move past those tough moments and remind ourselves what really matters.

1. Your Students’ Grades Don’t Define You

It’s so easy to tie your self-worth to your students’ academic performance, this is a pitfall I found myself in, in my first year or teaching (even years later sometimes honestly) but the truth is, there are so many factors at play—home life, personal motivation, learning styles, outside stressors—that you simply can’t control.

Instead of looking at their results as a reflection of your abilities, focus on what is within your control: creating a space where they feel supported, pushing them to think critically, and making learning as engaging and fun as possible.

2. That Feeling of Failure? I’ve Been There.

But after some reflection, I realized something important: Their struggles weren’t a reflection of my failure. They were simply a snapshot of where they were in their learning. My job wasn’t to dwell on what they didn’t achieve—it was to figure out what they needed next and what my next step would be.

3. Reflect, but Don’t Brood

Yes, reflection is important, but spiraling into self-blame? Not helpful. Instead, try asking yourself:

• Were my expectations realistic for where my students are right now?

• Were there gaps in their understanding that I can address differently?

• What worked? What didn’t? And how can I adjust?

This shifts the mindset from I failed to What can I do better?—which is where real growth happens.

4. Lean on Your Teacher Tribe

Teaching is hard, and doing it alone makes it so much harder. If your students didn’t perform the way you hoped, talk to the teachers in and out of your department. I promise you—they’ve been in the same boat.

Ask for advice, swap ideas, and don’t be afraid to say, "Hey, this didn’t go as planned—what would you do differently?" Sometimes, just hearing “Oh yeah, I’ve been there” is enough to pull you out of that self-doubt spiral.

5. Celebrate the Wins That Don’t Fit on a Report Card

Test scores don’t always show the full picture. Maybe a student who never voluntarily answered finally raised their hand. Maybe a struggling reader finished a book on their own. Maybe a quiet kid finally shared their thoughts in class.

These are the moments that really define your impact. Hold onto them.

6. Teach Growth Mindset—For Yourself, Too

We tell students all the time that mistakes help them learn, and my personal favourite quote from a printable stuck on my wall, "Fail stands for your First Attempt In Learning..." but do we give ourselves that same grace? Teaching is a constant learning process. You won’t get everything right 100% of the time—and that’s okay.

Instead of seeing low performance as a failure, see it as data. It’s telling you something—about your students, your teaching methods, and where to go next.

7. Be Kind to Yourself

You give your students patience and encouragement when they struggle—why not do the same for yourself? Teaching is a long game. The impact you’re making won’t always be immediate, but it is there.

The Mocha Method:

I've had to learn that my success as a teacher isn't just about test/exam scores. It’s about the confidence, curiosity, and resilience you help build in your students.

So if you’re feeling like a failure, remember: You’re not failing. You’re growing. And so are they.

Yours in education,

Tijanna

Image credit: Photo by Tara Winstead: https://www.pexels.com/photo/words-written-on-notepad-page-8406967/