How Can We Support the Whole Teacher?
In our school, we have devoted much attention to teaching the Whole Child. Now we would also like to look at how we can support the Whole Teacher. What strategies has your school implemented to make sure that teachers are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged?
--Amy Lockhart, Teacher, Malcolm Price Laboratory School, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Acknowledge What Causes Teachers' Stress
During a half-day inservice, we conducted an exercise to explore what causes stress for staff members. We asked teachers to write down on sticky notes things that cause them daily stress, and then we sorted the notes and displayed them on opposite walls of the room according to school stressors and personal stressors. Outside issues clearly outweighed school issues. This was a powerful visual reminder that educators are often asked to be strong for students