Picture that you are surrounded, outnumbered 25, maybe 30 to one. Your role is a complicated one; a delicate balance of educator, mediator, role model , entertainer, advocate and referee. The idea is overwhelming in itself, now factor in those that outnumber you bring outside issues into the mix you must deal with such as hunger, attention span, conflict, or physical/ substance abuse. That is all in a days work for a teacher in American schools. This environment is not for the weak hearted, but there are steps that can be taken to actively reduce the stress such as mindful walking, breathing exercises, and honing conflict resolution skills.
Key Takeaways:
- Sometimes, class room scenarios can be so stressful that some teachers are forced to overreact to the situation.
- Teachers who maintain a composed environment despite the stressful situation in the classrooms maintain a supportive learning environment for students.
- Researchers from Penn State University have discovered that the stressful environment teachers face daily can be compared to the stress found in an emergency room.
“While we must address the contextual issues that overburden our educators, we must also take the steps to build their resilience.”
