Abigail Bryant, Vocal Music Teacher, Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet
Teaching music is more than a profession—it is a calling. Yet, with the demands of education, the constant changes in society, and the personal sacrifices teachers often make, it is easy for that initial flame of passion to dim. Many educators find themselves asking: Am I slowly burning out? Has my flame already gone out? Or am I just struggling against harsh elements? Wherever you find yourself, know this: you are not here by happenstance.
The Role of Pain in Growth
Pain is often seen as an enemy, but in truth, pain is a professor. It teaches us about ourselves—our strength, our limits, and our capacity to endure. Through hardship, we discover what we are truly capable of handling mentally, emotionally, and physically. More importantly, pain reveals what we are willing to get uncomfortable for.
Every struggle carries purpose, preparing us for our next season. Just as harvest requires labor, the field of education requires perseverance. The challenges we face often prepare us for a greater opportunity ahead.
Controlling What You Can
One of the greatest lessons in teaching—and in life—is that there are countless things outside our control. Rather than being consumed by frustration, we must learn to train our minds to focus on what we can influence.
Cultivating good ground begins with recognizing and leaning into our strengths and giftings. Equally important is valuing and drawing from the strengths of others. No one thrives in isolation. There is no such thing as a healthy “spiritual island” in education. Too many teachers silently suffer alone, believing they must carry the weight themselves. But we are strongest when we support one another, when we allow others to help us, and when we learn the power of reciprocity.
Greatness, after all, is never accomplished in solitude—it is the product of teams.
Taking Inventory of What Gives and Takes
Sustainable teaching requires balance. Every classroom interaction, every performance, and every rehearsal either gives or takes energy. Like building strength at a gym, the challenges of teaching build our resilience over time. But just as athletes must know their limits, educators must learn when the heavy lifting is doing more harm than good.
The key is to take inventory:
- What gives you energy?
- What takes it away?
- Where do you find joy?
When students are no longer receiving what they deserve, and when your wellness is sacrificed beyond repair, it is time to pause. This does not mean you are giving up—it means you are wisely weighing the cost.
Living in a Healthy Cycle
Teachers often live in a cycle of constant deficit, pouring into others while neglecting their own replenishment. True sustainability in education requires a rhythm of emptying and refilling. Our wisdom, experiences, and perseverance—our stories of “I almost gave up, but didn’t”—are some of the most powerful gifts we can offer others. But to continue giving, we must also prioritize restoring ourselves.
A Call to Reignite
Imagine a culture of teaching where educators did not have to live in constant depletion. Imagine schools where teachers felt supported, replenished, and inspired. That vision begins with us—choosing to honor our own well-being, to lean on others when we need help, and to reignite the passion that first drew us into teaching music.
You are stronger than you think. Your flame may flicker, but it is not gone. And with intention, community, and self-care, it can burn brightly again.
Abigail Bryant is the K-8 Vocal Music Teacher at Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet School in Wichita, KS. She serves as the KMEA Chair for Elementary Educator and Student Engagement.
