A Letter to My Novice Teacher Self

Hello, young Gabi! If you’re reading this, it means you’ve just started your journey as a teacher.

I see you—nervous and full of questions. Does this make sense? Are they going to enjoy it? What if they find out I am a fraud? I know you often wonder if you’re doing enough, if you’re “good enough.” But let me make this clear: you are. You’ve got everything you need to make a difference in your students' lives, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. You are dedicated, curious, and incredibly resourceful for your age, now I know.

These early days of teaching are filled with so many “firsts” that it’s no wonder you feel overwhelmed. You may feel like you’re “stumbling more than striding”, but that’s okay. It’s part of the process. One day, you’ll look back and realize that each mistake was a learning step. The things that feel like struggles now are the same things that will become your greatest strengths.

Remember the song you love so much: “There will be an answer; let it be.” Let it Be. Trust the process. It’s okay to make mistakes, to not have all the answers. Let go of that constant need to prove yourself, remember that no one's perfect and just be. The most authentic and transformative teaching comes from a place of acceptance. I see myself, today, saying to the teachers I work with all the words of encouragement I wish someone had said to me. Let it Be.

Over the years, you’ll learn to embrace your teaching style despite the criticism, build meaningful relationships with your students, and discover that teaching is as much about listening as it is about instructing. You’ll read Paulo Freire and bell hooks, dive into critical pedagogy, and realize that education is a journey of transformation—built by both students and teachers. You’ll even have moments where you surprise yourself with how much you know, how far you've come, and how deeply you care about the impact you're making.

I know you worry about not reaching enough students, not catering to their every need, or, later on, not being able to help as many teachers as you’d like. You want to give back to a country that offered you top-quality education for free—a privilege you don’t take lightly. The reality of inequality sometimes feels like a weight too heavy to carry alone. There will be nights when you cry, feeling like you haven’t done enough to bridge that gap, wondering if your efforts are truly making a difference.

But, dear Gabi, please remember that you are trying—earnestly, with all the compassion you have. Our dedication isn’t measured by the number of lives we change in a day (my therapist said that), but by the persistence and honesty with which we approach each one. Even small steps towards equity matter. The connections you build with teachers and students ripple farther than you know.

If there’s one piece of wisdom I could offer, it’s this: be kinder to yourself. You’ll never be a “perfect” teacher, but you’ll be a growing one, and that’s what matters. So, take a deep breath, find joy in small victories, and remember that every student you meet is a chance to learn something new—about them and about yourself.

With love and compassion,

Your Future Gabi

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