What I Wish People Knew About Teachers with ADHD

Let me start with this:
Having ADHD doesn't make me a bad teacher.
It actually makes me an incredibly human one.

But it also means I fight battles that most people never see. So here’s what I wish more people understood:

1. I’m not disorganized, I have a different system.

My desk might look like a hurricane rolled through, but I know exactly which pile the read-aloud permission slips are in. I might forget where I set my coffee down, but I won’t forget how that one student cried during math and needed reassurance all day. My brain stores what matters even if it forgets where I parked.

2. Planning is both my superpower and my chaos.

I get hyperfocused and can create incredible lessons, games, and projects in a whirlwind of inspiration. But ask me to keep my Google Drive folders labeled consistently? Absolute war zone. It's not laziness, it’s executive dysfunction.

3. Noise and sensory overload can be brutal.

The classroom buzz that some people find energizing? It can completely drain me. Constant sounds, lights, motion, it’s all a lot. By the end of the day, I don’t need “me time,” I need quiet and nothing.

4. Transitions are hard even for me.

I preach structure and routine, and I believe in it… because I need it too. Sudden schedule changes, chaotic assemblies, or unexpected meetings can throw off my whole rhythm. It’s not resistance, it’s recalibration.

5. I feel everything deeply.

I care hard. I want every kid to succeed. I overthink parent emails. I replay conversations from days ago. I’m not dramatic, I’m wired to feel big, and that’s what makes me a teacher who connects.

6. I’m constantly trying even when it looks like I’m behind.

That bulletin board that isn’t updated? That email I forgot to reply to? Not because I don’t care. Usually because my brain is juggling 100 other tabs and forgot to hit “send.” I’m not slacking. I’m doing my best, just differently.

7. The guilt is real.

Guilt over being “too much.” Guilt over being “too tired.” Guilt over forgetting the thing I promised. Guilt over doing everything and still feeling like I’m not doing enough. It’s heavy and it’s constant.

8. My ADHD makes me a very good teacher.

I bring energy, creativity, humor, and compassion into the room. I understand the kids who don’t fit the mold. I advocate hard. I think fast. I love big. And I care more than I can explain.

Final Thought:
If you know a teacher with ADHD, don’t assume we’re disorganized or chaotic. See us as passionate, driven, and incredibly resourceful humans doing our best in a system that often wasn’t built for our brains.

We’re not falling behind, we’re just taking a different path. And it’s one worth respecting.