Teaching used to be a respected profession, and teachers were viewed with high regard. However, over the past 30 years, society, and particularly children, have a diminished appreciation of the critical role that teachers play in preparing students for success in adulthood. Rather than addressing them as ‘ma’am’ or ‘sir,’ students now regularly swear at their teachers. The situation has become worse as there have been reports of educators being assaulted, raped and even stabbed. As a result, teaching has become a stressful job for many individuals. This article will explore some reasons why teaching is stressful and provide practical strategies to manage teacher burnout.
The primary reason why teaching is becoming more stressful today is the children. It has always been challenging to control large groups of excited students, but it seems to be more so now than before. Teachers are now expected to understand and manage the psychological challenges that students bring into the classroom.
For instance, dealing with children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) can be particularly challenging. A single child with ADD can disrupt an entire class, preventing teachers from being able to teach effectively. This can increase the stress educators feel in two ways. They tend to feel like they are failing in their duty to teach, while the class, which becomes unmanageable, loses focus.
Teachers now recognise ADD conditions, but they only had to learn coping mechanisms through trial and error, which can be stressful. As new conditions are diagnosed regularly and more emphasis placed on managing such disorders in school, it is essential to have a responsive and knowledgeable support structure for teachers.
Most teachers are specialised in particular fields such as Mathematics. While it is their responsibility to develop skills in human psychology, it should not detract from their primary area of expertise. Consequently, it is essential that schools have support networks with skills in human psychology and behavioural issues to reduce stress.
A strong ethic throughout the school, from principal to students, reinforces the school’s behavioural support network, which can be leveraged to provide help and relief of problems. Teachers should receive seminars and training on current strategies to tackle several behavioural issues to stay aware and in charge of their classrooms.
A lack of efficient administration and organisation within the school can also contribute to teacher stress. To manage this challenge, a strong principal with a clear vision on running the school can help. Equally important is access to sufficient supplies, such as board erasers and markers, that influence teacher’s ability to do their job.
Most teachers find joy in nurturing and teaching; seeing their students improve over time can be satisfying. The situation changes when they are prevented from teaching for reasons they cannot control, leading to increased frustration and stress levels among teachers.
In conclusion, teaching is an essential profession that requires resilience, patience, and a willingness to learn. Unfortunately, it has become a stressful job due to the challenges teachers face daily. To manage teacher burnout, schools should provide teachers with training on human psychology and behavioural issues. Equally important is having a responsive support structure and administering the institution efficiently. Most importantly, there needs to be an understanding throughout the school of the need to maintain a conducive environment for quality learning. Such strategies will go a long way in helping teachers remain informed and in control of their classrooms.
Written by Adrian Whittle
