3 Pillars Toward Combatting Primary Teacher Stress and Burnout
3 Pillars toward Combatting Teacher Stress and Burnout
If you’ve been reading the blog these past few weeks, hopefully, you have noticed a theme targeting that teaching is one of the most challenging professions out there, but also one of the most rewarding even on the days it doesn’t feel that way. Whether this is your first year of teaching or your thirtieth year of teaching, you know the impact this profession can have on your overall life.
And this is exactly why I have decided that Lesson Plan Toolbox needs to focus on serving teachers. If you are going to choose to give our blog attention, then I am going to do my best to provide meaningful and motivational advice to help you through the year.
If you are looking for a “woe is me” type blog, well those days are behind us! You can head to pretty much any social media outlet and find what you’re looking for, but honestly why? Why dwell on the negative especially if you just endured a 6.5-hour day of chaos and you are holding on by a thread? America’s top self-help author, Napoleon Hill said it best, “There are no limitations to the mind except those that we acknowledge.”
So how do we begin to focus on the bright side of education when it feels like there is so much darkness? Well, I have been doing my homework and reading and listening to what teachers are posting about and openly sharing with the world. The three major categories most negative posts can be broken down into are: time, stress and overwhelm, and classroom management. Yes, money does come up quite a bit, but the reality with that issue is that education needs a complete overhaul in regard to salaries.
Based on these observations, I have broken the new pillars of Lesson Plan Toolbox into three categories: social-emotional support for K-3 teachers, trending resources, and peer connections. Our goal is to take a profession that has fallen into the dark back into the light one idea at a time:)
Sit back, relax, and focus on all the positive insights that sit right before you. Seriously, the fact that you are reading this means you have internet access, a device to read this from, and you’re probably employed in education which means you are impacting so many students’ lives each and every day!
Let’s just take a quick look at what these pillars and review what each piece brings to the puzzle.
Pillar #1: Social-Emotional Support for Teachers!
You’re probably thinking, “If I had a dollar for every time I heard the phrase ‘social-emotional support’ since the pandemic, I would be one RICH teacher!” Trust me, I get it. Hear me out though.
You see, so much of the social-emotional support educators heard about especially last year was in regards to students. Principals and administrators knew teachers were having just as much difficulty regulating their thoughts and feelings, but admins just weren’t sure what to do. Often you would see things like casual dress days or Friday lunches, but this simply put a Band-Aid on a much BIGGER problem.
So, when you need that level of comfort and support on those days that you think you just can’t go on, come find us. We’re going to bring a dose of inspiration, motivation, and straight-up TLC because you not only deserve it, but you NEED it!
Pillar #2 K-3 Trending Resources
Have you ever calculated how much time you spend online looking for ideas or what is trending in education? Well, I have, and let me tell you...YIKES! This was a major reason why I felt like I was always working. This is what made me stay up well past my bedtime scrolling online and then not being able to shut my brain off.
You don’t need to do that anymore. We are going to do this for you! Yep, you read that right. Once a month, we are going to send you what is trending in elementary education as far as lessons, tips and tricks, and of course technology. (Our A~M~A~Z~I~N~G teachers on our email list will be getting early access to this, so if you want to hop on that list, then grab this time management freebie while you’re at it!)
Pillar #3 Peer Connections
Here is a GREAT BIG GIANT question for you: Why do most major companies find time for their team members (employees) to meet and share ideas on what has been successful, unsuccessful, or even downright frustrating?
--AND if you haven’t watched this talk from Simon Sinek it is a MUST watch! Your mind will be blown as to how the “real world” creates successful strategies that work!--
Yes, in education we have our monthly faculty meetings, but rarely are teachers given the opportunity to learn from peers across the country, let alone the world, on what is working in their classrooms. Most meetings turn into complaining sessions on everything that is wrong in the school with little to no answers. I don’t know about you, but that is not at all how I want to spend my energy.
Can you imagine, having time to chat with others, learn from them, or even be the cheerleader when your colleague needs it the most because you’ve been there? Talk about impact! Best of all, it can all be done at your convenience. Think this is impossible? Think again.
We are going to take professional development to a whole NEW LEVEL and inspire you to fall in love with teaching. We are living in the 21st century and it is time we start treating teachers with the professionalism they deserve.
Conclusion: Let’s Set Your Teacher Soul On Fire
The goal of Lesson Plan Toolbox is to set your teacher's soul on fire! This may seem crazy, but we know that we can get you to fall in love with teaching by simply utilizing these three pillars: social-emotional support for teachers, trending resources, and peer connections. Seriously, watch this Simon Sinek video on creating a cultural reform. You will start to think about how education can come leaps and bounds by following this method.
What should you be expecting in the weeks coming up? Well, we are loving creating mindfulness recharge sessions for K-3 teachers and providing them the EASIEST professional development hours EVER received! You are going to find that Lesson Plan Toolbox is going to be where you turn on those days that you’re just not sure what to do. We’ve got you, but more importantly, you’ve got this!
Did you know...
We are so passionate about helping primary teachers that we are now inviting teachers to simply write a reflection on this blog post, take a picture, and send it to us on Instagram or via email ([email protected]).
Once you do that, then you will receive a 1-hour professional development certificate for FREE!
If you enjoyed this post...
If you enjoyed this post, then you'll want to read about Pillar 3: Peer Connections is the Missing Link in Educator Growth.
If you are having trouble figuring out how to balance your time at school and at home, then be sure to grab your copy of the Lesson Plan Toolbox Weekly Planner. Not only will this help you manage your time, but it is FREE too!
Reminder...
We continue to support K-3 teachers, both new teachers, and veterans, on their journeys. If you are interested in earning the EASIEST PD hours you will ever learn, then be sure to check this out. Feel free to contact us with any thoughts or questions. You can earn 60 HOURS in 1 year! (Grant opportunities are available!)
Looking for an extra hand this school year managing that endless “Things To Do List”? My Virtual Teacher Assistant services are exactly what you need to get yourself on track and save HOURS in your week! Click here to book a call that will turn your life around!
“This is an awesome opportunity for a new teacher or any teacher! The knowledge they will acquire is priceless. Lauren is a master teacher and her skills in the classroom are beyond imagination and dedication to young children which is unprecedented. Lauren makes the magic of learning happen.” Patricia P.
The Mission of Lesson Plan Toolbox:
Our mission at Lesson Plan Toolbox is to save K-3 teachers time and energy while providing resources and knowledge of 21st-century learning.
Until next week...
Teach~Relax~Repeat
Lauren
