Unfortunately, many teachers believe that they must suppress their feelings for the good of their classroom. As far as self-care goes, this is potentially the worst option they could make. While it can feel challenging to address the feelings and thoughts that cause them physical and mental distress throughout the day, without doing so, teachers are more likely to let these feelings consume them and thus cause burnout. Rather than internalizing these feelings, teachers should instead take a moment to write out what they’re feeling or thinking. After it’s addressed in writing, teachers can proceed to deliberating just how to solve these issues and what self-help activities can meet their needs. For example, if after lunch, a teacher were to realize that their energy and mood has decreased since the morning. Simply addressing these feelings will not do anything to help reduce them. Which is why it’s important to first ask, then act. If the morning was enough to weigh a teacher down, it’s up to them to turn it around and make the afternoon better. Self-care can make this possible, as it can turn even the worst of these feelings into belief that it’s possible. Preparation is important in these collapsing moments. For more information on how self-care can help teachers navigate these moments, check out the resource accompanying this post.
Check out Teacher Self-Care 101, provided by Curriculum Associates; an organization specializing in providing your student a personalized phonics based reading program.
