Are you a teacher? How has recovery changed the way you teach? What recovery tools do you use in the classroom?

Rajni joins Spencer to share her experience as a teacher, both before and after entering recovery.

Our conversation started with a bit of Rajni's story.

Characteristics that she identified in herself, pre-recovery, included these:

  • Overdeveloped sense of responsibility – overcommitted 
  • Hyper-vigilance
  • Perfectionism 
  • Sarcasm
  • A lack of boundaries, obsessive thinking
  • Abandoning herself  by taking on students’ problems

Some recovery tools that she is now using include these:

  • Appropriate boundaries.
  • The “wisdom to know the difference”

Some slogans she uses on a regular basis are:

  • QTIP (Quit taking it personally)
  • Serenity Prayer (ACA Version)
  • I don’t have to react to everything
  • HALT (am I Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired?)
  • Hands off pays off – is it mine?
  • Easy Does It
  • 3 C’s & M’s
    • I didn’t cause it, I can’t control it, I can’t change it
    • Mothering, martyrdom, managing

Readings and Links

Rajni read from Courage to Change, January 12.

Al-Anon is looking for contributions for a new daily reader on the Steps, Traditions and Concepts.

An email from Gina referred to the summary of the 2014 World Service Conference, particularly the section on how to initiate change in the Al-Anon legacies, starting in the third paragraph on p. 36.

Upcoming topics

An upcoming topic is “gratitude”. What are you grateful for this year? Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email feedback@therecovery.show with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here.

Music from the Show

Indigo Girls – Closer to Fine
Ingrid Michaelson – Be OK
Soul Asylum – Runaway Train

2 comments on “A Teacher in Recovery – 371

  1. Susanne P says:

    Having just retired after 18 years as computer tech support for a middle school I so relate to Rajni’s experience. I moved from New York to Oregon in 1980 and can also relate to her culture shock experience. COVID has not only delayed student’s emotional development but it has also increased expectations of school staff as well. As an essential staff due to my IT experience I felt fortunate to be working and receiving pay when so many others were financially struggling. After being 10 years in recovery I am still experiencing awareness and understanding of how much alcoholism has affected my life. I have been a listener since the beginning and want to thank you for your loyal work. I consider your show my meeting in my pocket whenever I need a boost.

  2. A M says:

    I am sped teacher with a HS students with severe mental health and aggressive and violent behaviors and its nice to be of 12th step service however its hard to feel at times to be in a program that is sometimes very counter intuitive to my personal recovery program some Im in ACA and AA god bless you all for this podcast and program I think it will really help me.

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