Being the only minority teacher in my schools and company has shaped much of my teaching experience. Throughout my career, I’ve often found myself in situations where I felt like I needed to prove my worth and knowledge, despite my qualifications and years of dedication. The pressure to demonstrate that I belong in this space has been a persistent companion, casting a shadow over many of my accomplishments.

From the start, walking into new schools has always come with hesitation. I’ve approached these spaces with the fear of being rejected—not for lack of skill, but for being different. I vividly remember a situation where a coworker, in front of a parent, told me what I should do for a student, even though their suggestion wasn’t appropriate. The weight of that moment, feeling undermined and inadequate in front of the mother, was crushing. It was not just about the coworker’s words but about how they impacted my standing as the child’s teacher in the eyes of the parent.

Then there was the time when a mother, unhappy with me as her child’s teacher, confided in another coworker, expressing how she wished they were her daughter’s teacher instead. For years, I fought to prove to that mother that I was good enough, that I was more than capable of providing her child with the education and support she deserved. But no matter how much effort I put into it, that doubt—both hers and mine—lingered.

Over the years, I’ve constantly tried to show that I am good enough, and yet I am growing tired. Tired of trying to prove myself in environments where my contributions are often overlooked or dismissed. People have told me I’m a good teacher, but that reassurance doesn’t carry weight when my suggestions and recommendations are repeatedly ignored. I know everyone has the right to choose their path, but my input is thoughtful and rooted in experience. Being dismissed makes me question whether I’ll ever be fully acknowledged for the work I do.

At this point, my confidence is waning. I’m exhausted from trying to prove my worth in spaces that seem intent on keeping me in a box, where I’m seen but not fully heard. I can’t continue this journey of constantly proving myself while feeling unhappy, invisible, and undervalued. I am now actively seeking something more.

Recently, I’ve traveled to two different places where, for the first time in a long time, I felt seen, heard, welcomed, and a part of a community. In these spaces, I didn’t have to prove myself. I was accepted as I am—my skills, experience, and identity were all acknowledged and embraced. That’s what I want, and that’s what I am pursuing.

I am on a journey to reclaim my worth. I no longer want to be in spaces that demand I continuously validate my right to exist and contribute. Instead, I’m seeking environments where I can thrive, be valued, and work without the ever-present weight of proving that I belong. It’s time to move toward a place where I am not just good enough—but where I am celebrated for being me.