Schools, Not Teachers, Must Reduce Stress and Burnout—Here’s How
According to the American Psychological Association, stress is a problem for many American educators. A report released in 2016 by the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future found that nearly 50 percent of teachers report experiencing high levels of stress in their work. This is not only a problem for the teachers but also a problem for the students.
A study published in the PLOS ONE journal found that students who are stressed out are less likely to excel in school. The study looked at data from over 10,000 students in the United States and found that those who reported high levels of stress were more likely to have lower grades and be less likely to graduate from high school and get a college degree.
There is no question that schools must reduce the amount of stress and burnout among their teachers. However, schools themselves are not solely responsible for this. In order to help teachers reduce stress and burnout, the school environment must also be designed in a way that is conducive to productivity.
One way that schools can help to reduce stress and burnout in their teachers is by creating a work-life balance. This means that teachers have time for themselves, their families, and their professional development. In addition, schools should provide teachers with flexible work hours, adequate rest, and support systems.
Schools also need to take steps to reduce the amount of paperwork that teachers are required to complete. This can be done by creating a system in which teachers can electronically file paperwork. Additionally, schools can provide teachers with training on how to reduce the amount of paperwork that they are required to complete.
All of these measures will help to reduce the amount of stress that American educators are experiencing and improve the quality of education that students receive.