300 Last-Minute Magic: Why ADHD Teachers Shine Under Pressure
Jan 28, 2025
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Maddie Novy, an elementary school music teacher with ADHD, shares her journey of navigating the demands of the classroom. She discusses the ups and downs of medication, highlights the challenges of planning and problem-solving, and addresses her battle with perfectionism. Maddie emphasizes the importance of emotional regulation while dealing with energetic children and offers practical strategies for educators to thrive despite ADHD. Her insights provide a supportive perspective for anyone in the teaching profession.
Maddie highlights the importance of emotional regulation in managing classroom dynamics while coping with the demands of ADHD.
She stresses that accepting imperfection and utilizing pre-made resources can help teachers with ADHD improve productivity and mental health.
Deep dives
Understanding the Impact of ADHD on Teaching
Those with ADHD often face unique challenges in planning and problem-solving, particularly in demanding roles such as teaching. For educators like Maddie, effective planning is crucial yet complicated due to the lack of structured curriculum, leading to difficulties in organizing lessons and ensuring proper scaffolding of concepts for students. This can exacerbate feelings of self-doubt and anxiety, as they worry about teaching topics inappropriately or not making the best use of time. Despite these challenges, the need for adaptability in the classroom encourages creativity and allows educators to develop resilience over time.
Navigating Emotional Regulation in the Classroom
Emotional regulation is a critical skill for teachers managing a classroom full of energetic students, particularly for those with ADHD. Maddie describes her struggle to maintain composure amid the chaos, often feeling overwhelmed by student demands and the unpredictable nature of classroom dynamics. To cope, she employs strategies such as allowing her students to engage in independent activities while she takes a moment to regroup. This practice not only helps her manage her emotions but also reinforces the importance of self-care in maintaining teacher effectiveness.
The Burdens of Perfectionism and Pressure
Perfectionism can significantly hinder productivity for teachers with ADHD, as it creates a barrier to completing lesson plans and implementing effective teaching strategies. Maddie recounts her attempts to produce elaborate lesson materials, which often lead to frustration and burnout when expectations go unmet. Realizing the value of pre-made resources marked a turning point for her, allowing her to focus on content delivery and student engagement rather than undermining her mental health over perfection. Accepting that good lessons can come from simplifying the planning process fosters a healthier outlook on teaching.
Embracing Unique Work Styles and Persistence
Each teacher's approach to organization and task management varies, particularly for those with ADHD, who may struggle with conventional strategies. Maddie emphasizes that finding personal systems that work for individuals is key, advocating for others to experiment with different methods without fear of judgment. Demonstrating the importance of embracing one's own working style, she assures fellow educators that the journey towards effective organization is a gradual process, marked by trial and error. Persistence in discovering what works best for oneself is crucial for overcoming the diverse challenges presented by teaching with ADHD.
300th EPISODE, BABY!!!! Today, I’m sitting down with Maddie Novy, a teacher who also has ADHD, to talk about what it’s really like to juggle the demands of a classroom while managing this unique brain.
Maddie shares her story, including:
Her personal ADHD journey and how she’s handled medication ups and downs.
The challenges of planning and problem-solving as an educator (spoiler: it’s not easy!).
How perfectionism has shown up in her work—and what she’s doing to overcome it.
The art of staying emotionally regulated while working with kids who are full of BIG feelings.
If you’re an educator with ADHD, or just curious about how to thrive in a challenging profession with this diagnosis, you’re going to love this conversation. Maddie’s insight and encouragement will leave you feeling seen and supported.