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"They may forget what you said, but they will not forget the way you made them feel." -Carl J. Buechner
Think Teacher Stress Just Affects You? Guess again...
In a Gallup report of 600,000 students, 45% felt "actively disengaged" from school, with disengagement rates increasing by grade levels (Klein, 2014.)
Alternatively, students who had 'at least one teacher who makes me excited about my future' were 30 times more likely to be engaged in school. (Klein, 2014.)
Students perceptions of teacher support, as well as their feelings of overall connectedness to their schools, are associated with better overall emotional health (Advancement Courses, n.d.)
Venting
Creating a warm, safe and non-judgemental space for students to vent can foster better mental health and a stronger classroom community.
Discharging negative emotions is healthier than bottling them up and can help you restore your equilibrium. (Psychology Today, 2014.
Venting must be done correctly in order to be affective, or else it can create cycles of negativity and social friction (Suttie, 2021.)
Help to see another perspective after venting by asking questions like: "How could I see this differently? (Suttie, 2021.)
Create expectations before beginning venting
venting.pdfBrain Breaks
Brain Breaks
- Do not withhold physical activity as a punishment. Disallowing students from participating in recess or gym deprives them of important health benefits of physical activity. (CDC, "Tips for Teachers", 2017.)
- Even 2 minute breaks for movement once per period could contribute to 25% of the 60 minutes needed for child’s activity (Advanced Courses, n.d.)
- Brain breaks create an alert brain that is ready to learn (Advancement Courses, n.d.)
Yoga and Relaxation
Yoga and Relaxation
Practicing yoga in the classroom can have both physical and emotional benefits. It may be difficult to feel like you are giving up instruction time for something that may feel frivolous, but the benefits in the long run will help to mitigate behaviors and improve concentration. Some benefits of yoga are:
Physical: Improved flexibility, balance, strength, and cardiovascular health
Emotional: Decreased anxiety, boosts concentration and memory, improves confidence and self-esteem, and leads to better academic performance.
It can actually change how your body responds to stress and regulate emotions.
(Randall, 2020)
Relaxation Strategies for Kids
Relaxation Strategies for Kids
Incorporating Creativity
Incorporating Creativity
Stimulating creativity can greatly enhance learning (Pluck & Johnson, 2011.)
"Games, discussions, field trips, interactive projects, cooperative learning, physical education, and engagement in the arts are all critical to developing emotionally complex and mature young people" (Sylwester, 1994.)
Strategies for Stimulating Creativity
Asking “What If” questions
Problem solving activities
Using higher depth of knowledge questions
Allow students to show their knowledge in a variety of ways (plays, stop motion, book report, song, etc.)
Exposure to the arts
Use humor
Use Blooms taxonomy higher levels of thinking verbs
allow students "voice and choice" of how they show knowledge and skills-- practice creativity yourself when brainstorming how they can demonstrate their knowledge!
play problem solving and strategy games
Resources
Resources
Advancement Courses (n.d.) Self-care for teachers
Fry, Alexa. “Why Do We Need Sleep?” Sleep Foundation, OneCare Media, 11 Sept. 2020, https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/why-do-we-need-sleep.
“Why Sleep Is Important and What Happens When You Don't Get Enough.” American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, Oct. 2008, https://www.apa.org/topics/sleep/why
“6 Virtues, and 6 Vices, of Venting.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 2 Apr. 2014, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolution-the-self/201404/6-virtues-and-6-vices-venting.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2017, October 2). Tips for teachers: Promoting healthy eating and physical activity in the classroom. Retrieved from: http://www.nea.org/tools/in-classroom-exercise.html
Pluck, G. & Johnson, H.L. (2011). Stimulating creativity to enhance learning. GESJ: Education Science and Psychology, (2)19, 24-31
Randall, Brianna. “Why More Kids Are Learning - and Enjoying - Yoga.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 3 Jan. 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/why-more-kids-are-learning--and-enjoying--yoga/2020/01/03/1f2b78be-de32-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html.
Suttie, Jill “Does Venting Your Feelings Actually Help?” Greater Good, 21 June 2021, https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/does_venting_your_feelings_actually_help.
Sylwester, R. (1994). How emotions affect learning. Educational Leadership, 52(2), 60-65. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/oct94/vol52/num02/How-Emotions-Affect-Learning.aspx
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