Shouldn’t I Have Figured This Out by Now?
S.N.A.P. Coaching Framework
About the S.N.A.P. Method™ : The S.N.A.P. Method™ is a reflective framework created for teachers navigating the real world.
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” - Proverbs 15:22
You hesitate before sending that email. You second-guess whether to reach out for help, whether it’s from a teammate, mentor, or someone who’s walked this road before. You wonder if reaching out will make you look unprepared or, worse, inadequate.
You’ve been in the classroom long enough, so why are you feeling worried?
Reflection:
Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak.
It means you’re wise enough to know you don’t have to do this alone.
Support isn’t just for new teachers or struggling ones. It’s for anyone committed to growth; anyone who wants to lead with excellence, not ego. Whether it’s an instructional coach, a teammate, a department lead, or even a trusted colleague from another grade level, reaching out is brave, not a weakness.
Teaching is complex. It’s emotional. It’s transformational work that demands faith, strength, and a supportive professional community. And that means sometimes the lesson plan fails, the behavior chart falls apart, and the systems come undone.
It doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It means you’re human.
That’s where the S.N.A.P. Method™ steps in to help you pause, reflect, and get the support you need to keep moving forward.
S — STOP
Stop trying to do everything yourself. Take a deep breath. Release the pressure to be perfect. Ask yourself: “What do I need right now?”
N — NOTICE
Notice what’s feeling heavy. Classroom setup? Behavior system? Differentiation? Student data? Getting parents involved? Notice the tension, not to criticize yourself, but to care for yourself.
A — ACT
Act with courage. Send the email. Ask the question. Schedule the visit. Your request for help is a step toward strength, not away from it. Don’t wait. Do it now.
P — PLAN
Plan for support as part of your growth strategy. Build rhythms of collaboration into your routine: team check-ins, coaching cycles, and reflection time. Make “asking for help” part of your professional DNA.
Encouragement to Carry:
Help doesn’t have to be formal to be impactful.
Sometimes, a breakthrough can occur during a hallway chat or a quick lunch brainstorming session. You don’t need to know everything; you just need to be open to growth. This new year offers a fresh chance to build relationships, embrace collaboration, and seek guidance that will not only strengthen you but also positively influence your students.
Your classroom may be your daily assignment, but your community is your support system. You weren’t meant to carry the mission of teaching alone. Every time we work together, ask questions, share ideas, and support one another, we build a stronger, more compassionate learning environment. And our students are the greatest beneficiaries of that unity.
So take the pressure off.
You don’t need to “prove” anything this year.
You just have to show up, stay open, and choose connection over isolation.
The true strength of a great teacher isn’t in perfection; it’s in the willingness to grow together.
Growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It flourishes in a community.
Prayer for the Courage to Grow:
Lord, when pride or fear silence me, remind me that You created us for community. Help me to accept help so I can grow. Thank you for placing people in my life who want to see me succeed. Amen.
