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
It often feels like there is never enough time. Emails, meetings, paperwork, planning, marking, conversations with parents and supporting students can quickly fill every minute of the day. The Pareto Principle, often called the 80/20 Rule, offers a simple way to think about your workload.
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
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.
We need to consider how and why we are using email. Whilst it can be an effective communication method if used well, used poorly, it wastes a lot of unnecessary time. Think before you write, not when you write – remember that a face-to-face conversation is the best form of communication.
A study by Microsoft found that a third of our day is unproductive. That’s more than two and a half hours each day. That’s too much! If you feel like a lot of your day gets wasted, keep reading. It can be beneficial to look a lot deeper at what you are doing. We need to pay attention to what’ s going on around us and how we show up and impact on our own productivity. Self-leadership starts with self-awareness.
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.
As we get to the end of the term and the holidays approach, it’s imperative that you make the most of the opportunity to recharge your batteries. It’s important to feel like you have actually had a holiday and are ready to take on the challenges of a new term.
Report writing time can be stressful — late nights, pressure and additional workload at a busy time. Instead of dreading the approach of report writing time and using weak coping strategies like counting down the days till the holidays, try planning early (super-early – like, now!) to make reporting time much calmer. Planning early can make the whole process calmer and smoother.
Some parents can be time consuming and add to our stress. In most schools, five percent of parents consume 95 percent of your time. However, reaching out to have them onboard can make our lives easier. Try these proactive approaches.