Take A Deep Breath

Protecting Our Students works closely with schools every day to keep them safe, but within those walls are teachers! Teachers work long hours outside of school, and their pay is never what they are worth.  They protect our children and keep them safe throughout the school year. Teachers are the backbone of our future, and the past year has probably added more stress to the job of an educator.

The “S” word

Stress is such a dirty word. There are actually different types of stress, and all stress is not bad stress. Acute stress is the most common and short term. It adds a bit of excitement to life, and it can be good or bad. In small doses, it’s okay, but too much can be exhausting. This is what most educators are feeling right now. They are continuing to teach but having to learn how to do it in new ways. Whether virtual or face to face, teaching looks and feels very different right now, and that can cause tremendous stress. As the country begins to figure out what’s next, our teachers are stressed with the task of making sure our students are prepared for their futures.

Alleviation Tips For Stress

1. Know your priorities and handle them in that order! Most teachers love what they do, and their students become their main priority.  Students should absolutely be one of the priorities but never outweigh other things that really matter. It’s okay to have things that top your career on your priority list.
2. Don’t overload! It is not healthy to take on too much at once. Try to minimize platforms used to teach virtually so that there is less pressure on both teachers and students.  Assign schoolwork in groups as well as individual work to lessen your amount of work to grade. Working smarter, not harder, will be key to less stress while adapting to the new norm of education.
3. Get personal! Have the students keep their cameras on. The more engagement and human interaction you have, the less stressful you will feel while navigating the year. Keep the school year as close to “normal” as possible. Have group projects and dress-up days to add some fun and personality to the year. Teachers don’t get to see students every day the way they used to, making it really hard to personalize education.
4. Set personal time and stick to it! Your time is your time! Make office hours and stick to them. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so make sure you are making time for yourself. Selfcare and personal time are going to be huge stress relievers this school year. Teachers are mentally adapting to a lot of changes that can be exciting and draining. Strategically scheduling assignment due dates allows scheduling a time for self, and things loved.
5. It is okay to say no and ask for help! Teachers are being pulled a lot of different directions right now. Parents, students, and the district are filling up emails, and technology is not always kind. It’s okay only to handle what you are responsible for right now. It is even more okay to admit that you are completely overwhelmed and could use some help. Say no to protect your peace.

Need more help with stress?

Teachers are heroes. Less stress means the better educated our future will be. It’s an overwhelming and beautiful career. If you are a teacher struggling with stress, reach out, and see if an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) is offered within your district. Some insurance plans will also cover a specialist to help you. Staying healthy is also going to be a huge factor in being the best stress-free version of you. For help finding mental health resources, call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-NAMI or, in a crisis, text “NAMI” to 741741. If you’re in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

Teachers Are Essential; Stress Is Not

Protecting Our Students is proud to work with the educators of our future to keep our students safe. We see the pressure and realize the blessings that are disguised as teachers. Working to end gun violence in schools means fewer things our teachers worry about when entering the school grounds. Schools have access to our POSsafety Assessment to determine the risk of school shootings in schools across the nation. Teachers and other school staff are keeping our children safe. Protecting Our Students has created an assessment to make schools even safer. The POSsafety Assessment will end the stress and worry of gun violence in schools for parents and teachers.

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