By Rosie Smith
As the end of the year is approaching, teachers are working hard to finish this final stretch of the year.
In a recent survey by the Milestone teachers shared how they avoid and manage stress by setting limits for themselves, not looking at email after a certain time, or keeping a checklist.
Math teacher Mrs. Ashley Brothers said she tries not to bring a lot of work home, giving her time after school to be with family. “I try not to bring a lot home. Don’t get me wrong, there are still many nights with late night grading sessions, but I try to get as much done while at school as I can so I can just be present with my family when I am home,” she said.
She also added that a checklist helps her stay on task. “I’m a checklist person when things get really busy and overwhelming. It’s satisfying to see them visually checked off and my ever-growing list get smaller,” she added.
Intervention specialist Abby Simon’s response agreed with Brothers and said she tries to avoid bringing work home. “I try to keep work at the school building. Some times that means working a little late, but I try to not take it home unless I have to,” she said.
As a SAIL teacher, Simon shared that she stays focused by “trying to get everything done and finished on time, I also care very much about my students, and if they are struggling, that often sits with me. I find myself thinking about ways to help them at all times of the day and week, to make sure the succeed,” she said. She said hanging out with family, friends, and maintaining self-care is her motivation.
Teachers’ responses agreed that seeing their students grow was a healthy motivation. Theology teacher Mr. Jeff Hutchinson-Smyth said, “Witnessing all of the ways students are learning and growing helps inspire me to persist when I’m weary.” Science teacher Mrs. Chrystel Wells said, “Focusing on how much my students have grown, and how much I really enjoy working with them. Ultimately keeping my eyes on the fact that teaching is a ministry.”
English teacher Mrs. Angie Noble remembers exactly when she experienced teacher burnout for the first time. “I had just finished my seventh year of teaching, and I went to Mrs. Combs, who was the English Department Chair, and told her the grind was getting to me. She suggested that I think about switching up some of the material to teach for the following year, breaking my grading into ‘chunks’, and collaborating more with other teachers to help, and I still do that today to help with burnout, and I encourage others to do the same,” she said.
SAIL teacher Mrs. Jeanne Daly shared that teaching has an effect on students and how they learn. “Teaching is unlike most other occupations. You always take your work home with you. Mentally, the kids are always on your mind, and you feel the importance of what the student experiences, not just through what you teach them, but through your interactions and how you make them feel,” she said.
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The McNicholas Milestone 