For some reason, teachers around the world are seen as machines. And even though machines suffer malfunctions and are serviced, teachers are meant to burn out in silence. But how can one of the world’s vital professions continue like this?
Globally, the COVID-19 outbreak has brought a tremendous change in the education sector and it’s still taking a toll on our teachers. If teachers were expected to manage physical classes or handle the workload within a specified period of time, teachers now have to fasten their belts.
In a changing education sector that is embracing virtual learning, teachers are required to adapt, yet few have received the necessary training or assistance to adjust. As per research, the pandemic affected not only students’ mental health but also teachers’. Studies show that teachers have suffered stress from having to adapt, yet no or less is put in place for teachers to cope in many schools.
Additionally, a 2021 report indicated that 47% of teachers experience depression, anxiety, or panic attacks due to work-related stress. Worse still, 50% of them leave the education workforce due to stress-related reasons.
Teachers’ responsibilities and duties are increasingly becoming more challenging now that some have to manage hybrid classrooms. But that could be more detrimental to teachers who may be focusing on securing a source of income while ignoring their mental health. Teaching requires emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and ever plugging in and out to revive oneself. If you’re a teacher who wants to prioritize mental health, here is how setting boundaries can offer optimal benefits.
1. Drawout a Timetable
It’s quite easy for a teacher to lose track of time, but following a timetable and managing time adequately can reduce the adverse effects of working for longer hours. Normally drawing out a classroom timetable can help a teacher complete the syllabus in a given period which provides time for classroom assessment through tests and discussions. It can also help you thoroughly review the intricate concepts for students.
Setting a timetable and operating by it can reduce the chances of stress and depression that increase due to the mounting pressure during the term. It also helps you handle emergencies appropriately that may require you to take time off work. By this, you will have reduced mental stress and chances of burnout.
Ensure to rewind and think of all-inclusive ways to manage your classroom effectively and how students can best understand the purpose of schooling. It will help you optimize the academic performance of your students and your mental health.
2. Respect Personal Time
As much as you would love to be there for your students, it’s essential to draw a clear line, especially if it’s taking a toll on your mental health or personal relationships. Naturally, teachers can sacrifice their free time for their student’s success, but this may not work for your mental health. You must understand that your brain needs some space and time to reboot, which can help you attain better insights into how to optimize student performance or explain concepts better.
On the other hand, extended hours with students can increase the chances of unprofessionalism, where a teacher may end up forming inappropriate relationships with students. The negative impact manifests later on when teachers are caught up in awful situations with their students, which takes a toll on their mental well-being and career.
In case you have extra time, use it to detoxify yourself, interact with your friends, or learn a new skill to upgrade yourself. Ensure to create a life outside of school because it will act as a support for your mental well-being during the hard times.
3. Maintain a Professional Attitude with Your Students
There is nothing wrong with giving your students a treat, organizing a trip, or displaying your sense of humor to them. However, set limits and abide by them. Consider all students equal and avoid favoritism to help create a positive learning environment. An all-inclusive learning environment will help you keep students engaged and focused on attaining their SMART Goals, which isn’t the case with negative learning environments. As a teacher, you will have to be accountable for students’ poor performance, which at times brings your teaching abilities into question.
Besides, avoid attending student calls past a given time and let your no be a no and your yes, be a yes. It will reduce the chances of conflicting loyalty known to cause mental stress in modern workplaces.
4. Don’t Share Personal Contact or Information with Students
It’s always essential to create a no-go-zone with students if you need to thrive career-wise, more so, to have peace of mind for longevity. When it comes to the teaching profession, setting boundaries also extends to who has your personal contact number or home address. When you share your contacts with students, it increases the likelihood of intervening in your personal space.
Although it’s inevitable, always try to create professional communication channels to help you reach your students whenever they need your help. Also, ensure to address student conflicts within school premises rather than in a restaurant or your home. Doing all this doesn’t mean being selfish, but it will eliminate or reduce instances where you have to compromise with your etiquette.
5. Know When to Seek Help
We all have to admit that mental health issues are increasing globally, without sparing genders, ages, or professions. Unfortunately, many hardly know that they have a mental health issue or are even willing to seek help. When it comes to teachers, it is a matter of questioning one’s professionalism and ability to handle the workload.
Reports show that many teachers worldwide are highly drained, physically, emotionally, and mentally, yet have to stick to their jobs. Similarly, they think that seeking mental help is a sign of weakness or their inability to meet expectations. However, this is wrong! Like any other profession, it’s normal to get stressed out, burn out, and even experience fatigue.
It is essential to identify stressors, detoxify, discuss issues with a friend, or seek professional help in case you fail to realize a difference. You can start by planning your activities or engaging in different activities like exercising and listening to music to improve your mental health. You can also join a teachers’ mental wellness program to help you learn how to handle difficult situations. You will also be able to learn from other teachers’ experiences. If you teach online, get hold of a teacher’s online resource survival kit to help you cope with the evolving teaching landscape.
All in all, students would love to see the best version of their teachers whenever they are in class. But for that to happen, teachers must be mentally healthy. Not only to manage a classroom but also to offer meaningful learning experiences. As explained, drawing boundaries can help support your mental health, but it’s essential to seek professional help when you fail to realize an impactful difference.
How do you take care of your mental health? Share in the comments!
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6 Effective Stress Management Techniques for Teacher Well-Being
The Impact Of Stress & Anxiety On Educators
5 ways to Get Out of The Tired Teacher Rut
Stress Management for Teachers
About the Author: Jessica Robinson finds her peace in penning down intriguing and captivating blogs for her readers. So, she has been creating the finest pieces of content for over a decade while working at ‘The Speaking Polymath’.
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Christine Weis is a passionate educator, classroom management coach, wife, and mom of two busy boys. She enjoys teaching, writing, and creating resources for teachers.
Excellent! This list of ways covers it all. I am all for teachers getting their daily breathing space from the classroom and the learners.
Great tips and we need truly need to know when to seek help. Thank you for sharing!
When you are an educator it is hard to find a balance between work and personal life. Setting boundaries and not sharing your personal information is a great help to enjoy your own space.
I know a LOT of teachers since I work at the elementary school my kids go to. It’s definitely important to find that work/life balance so you don’t get burned out. I think for teachers it’s also important to make sure to take your breaks during the day instead of working through lunch, etc.
I really love this. We spend so much time thinking about students that we forget how important it is for the ones who teach them to be healthy, as well.