Teachers, It Is Ok Not To Be Ok.
Dear teachers,
It is no secret that like many frontline workers through the pandemic and its ripple effects of disrupted learning and staff shortages, you are under unprecedented pressure and stress. Intermittent self-care and even bonuses only go so far.
Focusing your locus of control to #lightentheload may be the best way to feel differently in a few weeks or months. Your students deserve you to feel grounded. Your loved ones may notice a difference, too. Most importantly, you will feel enough respite to stay in your role over the months and years ahead.
- Let it out. Let your team know how you’re feeling through one on one conversations with your school and system leaders and through candid sharing via tools like Panorama’s feedback survey. Denying or repressing how you feel will not change your emotions.
- Connect with peers. Process and talk through the highs and lows of your professional context with a peer coach (check out The Educator Wellness project) or in a retreat with teacher colleagues (sign up at The Teacher Sanctuary) or through healing circles (The Healing Schools Project offers these for educators of color). Pulling up and out of the everyday grind may help you decompress and show up with renewed energy.
- Activate helpers. Check out the almost limitless supply and range of high quality Outschool educators ready to supplement your core instruction with new course offerings or small group instruction that supports accelerated learning. By working with Outschool, you can expand your reach and enlist a professional educator to work virtually with students , freeing you up to focus on the students who need you the most.
It’s okay not to feel okay right now. As an old boss of mine said, ask for what you need. Outschool is here to help you #lightentheload.
