Teaching has always been a rewarding profession but it has also become increasingly demanding. While every school is different, the biggest sources of teacher stress are remarkably consistent. The good news? Small changes in how we work and think can make a big difference. Here are five common stressors and some practical tips to help manage them
Staff in schools feel like they are constantly juggling competing priorities—planning, marking, meetings, managing behaviour, dealing with parents and the never-ending to-do list. It can feel overwhelming at times. In her bestselling book, Get Your Sh*t Together, Sarah Knight offers a refreshingly straightforward
Every staff member in a school has unique strengths. Yet many of us spend far more time worrying about what we can’t do than recognising what we do well. Our brains have a natural negativity bias. We notice mistakes, weaknesses and
Teachers often notice when a student learns, communicates, behaves or interacts differently from their peers. While these observations can be important, conversations with parents require sensitivity, care and professionalism. Parents may feel worried, defensive, relieved or overwhelmed.
Research has been undertaken in many classrooms around the world into a phenomenon known as the Pygmalion Effect. The research demonstrates the impact of teachers’ expectations. Teachers’ expectations can dramatically affect students achievement. If a teacher is told that his or her students are bright, the teacher will be more supportive, use more complex vocabulary, teach more challenging material, allow more ‘wait’ time for students to answer questions and provide more thoughtful and useful feedback to the students. In turn, the students receiving this attention will perform to this level.
We all lead busy lives and we ALL suffer stress in some form or other at different times. If you feel as though you are becoming overwhelmed, STOP and take some time to prioritise your workload. What is really important?
Working with parents is an essential part of working in schools, yet conversations can sometimes feel challenging—especially when emotions run high. Assertive communication is a vital skill that helps teachers, leaders and other staff in schools, stay calm, clear and in control, while still building positive relationships.
Staff who work in schools are caring, generous and committed people. That’s what makes you amazing—but it’s also why many of us struggle to say no. You may feel that if you don’t do it, no one else will. Or perhaps you feel you should say yes because that’s what a “good person” does.
Schools are full of quick decisions—on the run, between classes and often under pressure. Whether it’s responding to student behaviour, interpreting a parent email or navigating the latest initiative, staff in schools, make hundreds of judgments every day. In The Art of Thinking Clearly, author Rolf Dobelli highlights the many mental shortcuts (or “cognitive biases”) that trip us up. Understanding these can help you think more clearly, reduce unnecessary stress and make better decisions.
Working in schools can feel overwhelming. There’s always more to do, more to think about and more to worry over. When things feel hectic, one of the most helpful strategies is to bring your attention back to what you can control. The 3 Circles Framework (popularised by Stephen Covey) is a simple but powerful way to do that. The three circles are: