Lessons I’ve Learned as a Teacher-Mom
- anesbotlucas
- Apr 14
- 3 min read
Being both a teacher and a mom is wild. Beautiful, exhausting, deeply rewarding—and let’s be honest—sometimes a little chaotic. You’re constantly navigating big emotions, unexpected messes, and moments of magic that remind you why you do this work in the first place.
Over time, I’ve noticed how often my roles as a mom and educator bleed into each other. What I learn in one space usually helps me grow in the other. So here’s some of that real talk—lessons I’ve learned along the way that have shaped how I show up in my home, my classroom, and at Lucas Literacy Lab.
1. Let them fail.
This one hit me hard, especially as a mom. My instinct is to swoop in—to fix the struggle before it gets uncomfortable. But what I’ve learned, over and over, is that failure is a teacher, too. Kids need space to try, fall short, and figure it out. That’s where resilience lives. That’s where confidence grows.
At Lucas Literacy Lab, I’ve built an environment where it’s okay to make mistakes. In fact, we celebrate mistakes—because they mean a child is trying something new.
2. Kids thrive when they feel seen.
Not just for their reading levels or how quickly they can solve a math problem but for who they are. Their sense of humor. Their imagination. The way they light up when they talk about dinosaurs or dogs or bugs they found.
Whether I’m teaching a small group or tucking my child in at night, the goal is always the same: to see them, hear them, and remind them that they matter.
3. Routines matter more than rules.
Rules can be rigid and reactive. But routines? Routines offer safety. Predictability. Comfort.
In my microschool and in my home, I’ve learned that kids don’t need strict control—they need clear rhythms they can count on. Morning check-ins, afternoon read-alouds, and evening storytime—those small daily anchors create calm, even when life gets messy.
*Pro Tip: Kids are never too old to be read to. Long live story time!
4. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
There was a season when I was trying to do everything: run a microschool, raise my child, plan lessons, answer emails, and show up for everyone all the time. But I burned out fast.
Now I protect rest. I hydrate. I go for walks with my dog. I remind myself (daily) that taking care of me isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Because when I’m well, I teach and parent with more joy, more patience, and way more clarity.
5. Learning doesn’t only happen at a desk.
Some of the most powerful learning moments I’ve witnessed happened far from a worksheet or whiteboard. I’ve seen literacy bloom while baking muffins, counting games unfold during a nature walk, and problem-solving spark in a block tower that just won’t stand up straight.
Our microschool leans into that. We know learning is everywhere—it’s in the questions, the play, the everyday life moments that kids naturally gravitate toward. We just create the space for it to happen.
Being a teacher-mom has taught me that learning and parenting aren’t about perfection—they’re about connection. It’s about showing up, staying curious, and letting growth happen in its own messy, beautiful way.
Lucas Literacy Lab was born out of that belief. I wanted a space where children could be known, nurtured, and challenged—not just academically, but as whole people.
If that sounds like something you’ve been looking for, I’d love to connect. You can learn more about what we do here or come visit us in Old Bridge for an Open House on April 22nd. We’re building something different—and it’s something special.
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