Stress and expectations

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Home : 2002 : March : 20

Stress and expectations
By Cathy-Dee

You are definitely dealing with a lot of stressful situations. Some are out of your control while others may be more controllable. And some most likely would happen at any school.

It is hard to see the light at the end
of the tunnel when you are frustrated with everything that is going on. You need to deal with your situation with your principal and get that resolved first. It's probably a good thing you do not see him often.
As far as secretaries and parents, find the nice ones They are blessings in disguise. I know even when I've had it with one of my parents all I need is to see one of my

other parents and things feel much better.

Taking care of your students is probably more frustrating because you care about them. Why not talk with groups like social services or other "care" groups to see if they can donate items, etc., to take that burden off of you.

I'm not sure why you are tutoring unless you need the extra income. If you can do without, then don't tutor. I think sometimes as teachers we take on too many responsibilities and this greatly adds to our stress.

As far as managing your students, that can be difficult especially if you feel you have no support. You may not be able to change everything especially this late in the year, but why not try just changing one or two things that would make things run more effectively for you. Ask on the board about some specific areas you want to change and see what ideas you get. Without support there are things you most likely will not be able to change - fighting especially if it occurs at recess for example.

Ask questions, sometimes the answers make things easier to handle.
We always have that heat problem too, I finally asked our custodian why can't we just turn off the heat on the warm days. It has something to do with the boiler systems. They are not easily turned off and on, so because the weather changes day to day and is still quite cool at nights they have to leave the boiler on. I finally just brought in a fan or two and opened any windows I could to help matters until the boilers could be turned off.

And many schools do not have counsellors or art teachers especially in these days of budgets. In my school we do not even have a 1/2 time special ed teacher. Our principal covers the position which is not quite 1/2 time along with all his other duties, etc., Most schools in our area do not have music or gym teachers either, we do it all.

Why do you have to test so often? Are there state or school requirements that you are trying to meet? Can you cut back on your testing? Or at least cut back on how many tests you mark. I know especially in my first years of teaching I marked way more things than I needed too. As long as I have enough marks for their report cards that's all I worry about. I do a lot of spot checking throughout the day. If you do have test that often, then cut back on other marking to relieve the load.

And when all else fails, take a night off from all school things - go shopping, take in a movie, soak in a tub, visit with friends. I know many of us do not take the time to simply relax and forget about our jobs. Because we often put so much into our jobs we need to take time away from them as well.

And unfortunately many parents, administrators, school boards and government officials do think we are "bionic men and women". It's hard to live up to that image at times!