Teaching can be an adrenaline rush. A well planned lesson that actually goes to plan can leave you feeling like Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic, proudly perched atop the ship’s prow, fist punching the air and whooping: “I’m the king of the world!”

Conversely, a lesson fraught with conflict or disinterest can also leave you feeling like Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic - drowning in sub-zero waters with no hope of rescue, braving it with a rictus smile as you judder in the freezing depths (while we’re on the subject, can I just check: did anyone else think there was room for a small one on that door? Come on, shift it Winslet!). 

Anyway, I digress…Most of us have had groups that’ve nudged us to the brink. A combination of personalities, that when shunted together by the commonality of vocation, age, or behaviour have left us feeling like the world’s rubbishest teacher, even when we’ve brought our A-game to every lesson.

Turning it around is possible

I’ve had my share of groups that I just couldn’t seem to fathom. Where, in spite of seeking advice from anyone who’d listen, and asking peers and managers for observations to help me pinpoint exactly where I’m mucking up, it just didn’t work.

With groups like these, I found the biggest challenge is keeping the faith that it is possible to turn it around. To have a session where there’s no drama and everyone leaves the classroom with a little bit more knowledge than when they entered it.

To boost my fighting spirit under those circumstances, I’ve had to give myself many a stern team talk, prior to the session. This is almost always accompanied with music blasting into my ears, to give my resolve a kick up the backside. 

Here are five of my favourite sounds and scenes that remind me that I CAN DO THIS: 

When you feel utterly defeated by a group and need to remember that you’re in charge

Get Back by Ludacris

This tune helps remind me that underneath my Mrs Doubtfire cladding, I’m a badass mutha who won’t take yo’ shit. Popping this on my headphones in a public setting gives me a sly smile. There’s something about my matronly self, sporting a sensible anorak and a Clarks shoe while piping this filth through my lugholes, that provides a pleasing juxtaposition of identities. It’s the audio equivalent of wearing saucy under-crackers beneath work clothes.

WARNING - this contains bad swears. This clip, from the end credits of the film Tropic Thunder, contains Tom Cruise - YES TOM CRUISE - as film producer Les Grossman dancing like no one’s watching. Who knew?

When your personal life is affecting your work but you must carry on regardless

Make ‘Em Laugh by Donald O’Connor

A couple of years after I started teaching, my husband had a serious health drama. For a while it wasn’t looking good. I spent most days wanting to lay face down on the carpet howling, rather than slapping on my happy face and educating the youth.

During those months it was understood in our house that we would keep on trucking unless we were told we couldn’t. So we developed a ritual. Every morning, before school and work we would put this song on the big telly and our family would dance whether wanted to or not. 

There is something so purely and relentlessly joyful about Donald O’Connor’s performance that it’s hard not to smile, even when it’s the last thing you feel like doing.

When it feels like the students hate you, but you will continue being the best teacher you can be, just to spite them

Hate On Me by Amber Riley

Sometimes killing ‘em with kindness is the best form of sticking two fingers up to a group of young people who seem impenetrable to your efforts. To me, this song (Amber Riley’s vocals rather than the twee Glee clip) says “I don’t give two shits if you hate the subject, hate the college, hate me. I will keep on looking for ways to love-bomb you until I win you round. So shove it.”

When you have empathy for your students even though they’re giving you a hard time

Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears

Welcome to your life, there’s no turning back… Wow. It can be overwhelming to suddenly have a load more freedom plop into your lap. For it to dawn that you are entering adulthood.

I remember feelings of confusion when I abruptly realised that I could make my own choices. I often made what I now know were unwise decisions, and feel a lot of empathy with the kids who are pushing back, sticking it to the man - me. You. 

Leaving school and starting college is a huge transition. This song reminds me that the gobby tricksters sitting in front of me are, in fact, glowing bundles of potential wrapped inside an outer casing of attitude.

When you trust in your capacity to make it work

The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s theme from Star Wars)

If you’re new to the job and you’ve got off to a ropey start with a group remember this: it happens.

Those of us who have seen many younglings come and go through our classroom doors, know that with time, patience and the support of colleagues, eventually the right approach is almost always found. The strength comes from refusing to give up on the difficult ones, the ones who seem like they have given up on themselves.

Sweep down the corridor imagining this as your personal theme. I like to conjure up a giant cape rippling behind me as I stride. And yes, I know that The Big DV wasn’t an inspirational figure as such, but nobody’s perfect.

Sarah Simons works in colleges and adult community education in the East Midlands and is the director of UKFEchat. She tweets @MrsSarahSimons