The global pandemic has impacted the way that schools are structured and how teachers work. This has led to an increase in stress faced by educators as they try to navigate all the new demands being placed on them while still experiencing concerns about the health and safety of themselves and their families. Teachers need resources to strengthen their own coping and resiliency so they can take care of themselves and be effective educators.
Districts should share mental health resources available to employees.
- Clearly explain how to access mental health benefits through the insurance provider.
- IF Employee Assistance Programs are available, share information on how to access the services provided. These programs often provide a limited number of free counseling sessions.
Districts and schools need to help teachers create and support the use of boundaries between work and home—especially when teaching and learning is occurring virtually.
- Support teachers to set up work hours
- Communicate these to students and parents
- Encourage teachers to be clear on what communication channel(s) they will use with students and parents (e.g., email rather than providing cell phone for calls and texts)
- Suggest teachers establish set office hours
- Encourage teachers to communicate to students their policy on late homework submission (for example, accepting for half points)
- Create policies about expected response times for emails and other communications (voicemail, class dojo, etc.).
- Use auto-replies for messages received after specified hours.
Teachers can choose to implement strategies to reduce stress and improve work-life balance.
- Meditation and breathing techniques can be used to reduce stress
- Practice self compassion and be kind to yourself.
- Make plans to be physically active- especially if you are spending an increased amount of time in front of a screen.
- Find opportunities to get support from other colleagues—this reminds you that you are not alone.
This pandemic has introduced many stressful changes. It is important to remember that you are not alone in this. Teachers use a lot of energy to care for the students that they educate. It is important for districts and schools to help protect their teachers so that they can have the mental energy to do their job. Furthermore, teachers can also choose strategies to reduce stress and increase resiliency.