Written by: Stacey Brake, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Educators have been through the wringer over the past several years. We know that COVID took a toll but the general public doesn’t realize that education was a stressful job before social distancing, masks, lost educational time, schedule disruptions, and learning to teach online in two weeks or less… No. All of that has only added to an already overwhelming role.
Many people don’t realize that long before 2020, school were struggling to retain talent in the Exceptional Children’s departments Math departments, and there was an ongoing struggle of what to do with children’s misbehavior. Educators deal with trauma from home, trauma from school shootings or active shooter drills. When the economy suffers, our children come to school without proper clothing, nutrition, let alone school supplies. There’s a saying that circulates in the self-help world, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Whoever created that, has never met an educator. I’ve seen educators give and give. They pour out their entire heart and soul. And then, they go to an after-school meeting and learn, we have to add another assessment. They show up on a Wednesday morning with a new student in their classroom, who has just moved into a new foster home because their parents are now in jail. She takes a deep breath, and although she had nothing left to give, she smiles. She welcomes this new child into her room, she finds a space just for him, prints new labels for his cubby and desk. She pours more! If you’re a school leader, you already know this. You have likely lived it in the classroom at some point in your career. With educators so overwhelmed and the stakes so high, what can be done?
While many districts have implemented direct mental health services for educators, there is something else that you should focus on for a long-lasting change. Rather than expect teachers who are already overwhelmed to take time out to go get support, why not bring mental health support to educators? Educators are reluctant to miss too many days of school. Often, teachers will joke that it’s more work to take a day off because of all of the planning that needs to happen to prepare for a substitute. The detailed instructions for routines, behaviors, changes in the school schedule, classroom policies, how to get help, what to do about a fire, and also…lesson plans. Joking aside, when you are really great at what you do, it’s hard to replace you even for just a day. Another challenge is that educators have a limited number of leave and sick days. Finding a therapist that could meet you after school may be possible(maybe not) but what would she do with her own children and their after-school activities? If we want to treat mental well-being as a priority in school, let’s consider 3 ways we can do just that. 3: School Culture.
Really focus on creating a culture of well-being. Use survey data and real conversations to understand what’s going on, what’s difficult, and what needs to be addressed first and fast.
2: Scale Back. Teachers are often frustrated and stressed because there are so many responsibilities that aren’t actually teaching. Truly assess what are ALL of the programs, ALL of the extra duties, ALL of the things that teachers are doing that could be removed from their plate. 1: On Demand Mental Health Education with lifetime access. If educators don’t experience anxiety firsthand, they will likely encounter a student who does. Equipping teachers with resources for personally dealing with stress, overwhelm and anxiety will prove invaluable. One of the best ways a teacher can help her student with anxiety, for example, is to learn to effectively manage her own anxiety. Learning these tools and strategies when you are not overwhelmed is far more effective than trying to learn something new when your fight or flight is activated. It can also keep crisis at bay for someone who is experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety. Once a teacher has mastered anxiety management personally, she will be able to share in the classroom, she’ll be more effective as a teacher, and she’ll reconnect with the joy in her work.
There are a number of ways to begin to support our educators’ well-being. It’s no longer a “nice-to-have”. It’s a must-have. It isn’t enough to acknowledge that the job is hard. It’s absolutely vital that we build in the support to sustain our educators, our schools and the children of our future.
Stacey Brake, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Stacey Brake is leading the charge in mental health education. Anxiety Detox is the solution for those who suffer from anxiety but don't want to go to therapy. This online program is designed to help you reduce your anxiety and reconnect with your joy. With Stacey Brake's 18 years of experience in mental health, she has created a program that is simple, easy to follow, and most importantly, effective.
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