Being a healthier teacher: Focus on your strengths — from byrdseed.com by Ian Byrd

Excerpt:

The Core Problem
Why is teaching so stressful? Teaching isn’t a job, it’s at least three jobs:

  1. Lesson planner: design and deliver creative, meaningful learning experiences
  2. Student caretaker: you can listen to, interact with, and inspire kids of all types (not just the ones you like)
  3. Organizer: Your files are labeled, grades are up to date, and desk is cleared

You’re probably really good at (and really enjoy) one of these jobs. You might even have two bright spots. But I’ve never met someone who excels in all three roles. As a result, you always have that nagging feeling that you’re not doing your job well.

Reflections from DSC:
As we’re talking about stress and change here, the topic of resilience comes to my mind. (This is also most likely due to my currently teaching a First Year Seminar (FYS) course at Calvin College, where we recently covered this very topic.)  From that FYS course, I wanted to mention that PBS.org offers some further thoughts and resources on resilience. I also want to pass along some of the (healthier) coping strategies that folks can use:

  • Active coping – doing something active to alleviate stress such as talking to the person causing the stress, or problem solving for solutions
  • Emotional support – seeking a way to balance emotions primarily through sharing emotions with others
  • Instrumental support – seeking out professional or expert advise on the situation
  • Positive reframing – seeing the glass as half full (vs. half empty)
  • Planning – reprioritizing responsibilities to keep stress more manageable
  • Humor – laughter at the situation if appropriate, but more effective when combined with more action-based coping
  • Acceptance – if a situation is unchangeable, being able to accept it allows you to move forward in a positive direction to take appropriate action to help cope
  • Religion – prayer, scripture, reassurance from God’s promises

Also, for further information re: focusing on your strengths and obtaining maximum impact from them, see the work of Marcus Buckingham.

Also see Ian Byrd’s related articles to being a healthier teacher: