Teacher Tea
Overcoming the Challenges of New Teaching Jobs
In this article from Edutopia, “School Just Began and I’m Already Overwhelmed,” contributor Christie Rodgers addresses the challenges of teacher burnout, particularly for new teachers. Rodgers offers strategies to help teachers cope with the stress and maintain their well-being.
Rodgers first advises that teachers focus on effective planning strategies in order to optimize time management, and that includes arriving early so that class plans are fully prepared. She also acknowledges the need for emotional support and encourages building strong relationships with colleagues. Teachers can foster those relationships through formal professional development and networking events, or informal opportunities to chat with colleagues throughout the day.
Rodgers also looks outside the school and touches on greater lifestyle habits. She says that teachers must remember to prioritize self-care during the school day by taking breaks, and after it by attending to the basics: proper sleep, nutrition, and so forth. Teachers are human too, after all. They should ideally be making time for activities that they enjoy, especially those that offer the opportunity to disconnect from the world of teaching. Another morale boost that Rodgers recommends is getting into the habit of keeping mementos of success and positive experiences, like photos and letters.
Teachers sometimes need a reminder of how important it is to take care of their own needs. They cannot do it alone. A strong support network, both in and out of school, is a must. Stress management skills can always be optimized, but they aren’t optional. Teacher burnout is a very real phenomenon that should be addressed proactively. The techniques that Rodgers suggests can help alleviate the day-to-day overwhelm that plagues many teachers, especially at the start of the academic year.
How can teachers mitigate the inevitable stress of their job? While some sources of stress are systemic, Rodgers recommends some individual habits here that can help support the demands of the teaching profession.