Try not to be stressed out teachers... We love you!

"I'm desperate to hold on to our good teachers."

Many teachers are stressed out, but my heart goes to teachers of charter and non-union schools. In my many years of teacher training, I have never seen such pressure to perform. Involuntary attrition is severely higher in charter schools which have fewer barriers in dismissing teachers. Not only are the stakes high for testing and performance teachers are dealing with other things such as sustainability for their financial means. Our children suffer because many teachers are leaving the profession at a rapid rate which in turn increases the level of dysfunction. Below are a couple of things I tell my teachers but other supports are needed, it takes a school leader to recognize teacher stress, create outlets, and act on the outlets created.      The National Association of School Psychologist wrote,“The current economic crisis is affecting manyschools across the country. Families and staff areexperiencing increased stress and decreased stabilitydue to lost or reduced incomes, unemployment,home foreclosures, and forced relocation.Students are coming to school with greater needs, social-emotional difficulties and, in some cases, behavioralproblems. At the same time, school budgets arebeing cut, class sizes are increasing, support staffand services are being reduced or eliminated, andeducators are being asked to do more with less.  All this puts significant pressure on teachers; therefore,it is critical that teachers are provided support in these tough and challenging times." Below is a list of Leader actions written by the NASP:1. Validate the current feelings of teachers. 2. Provide emotional support 3. Emphasize the importance of maintaining consistent classroom schedules and routines. 4. Maintain behavioral expectations 5. Managing behavior with larger class sizes 6. Help teachers focus on the positive accomplishments 7. Support teachers in being flexible and knowing limitations 8. Provide activities that allow staff and students to connect with each other 9. Focus on directed and realistic expectations 10. Create opportunities for teachers to support each other 11. Find creative means for funding activities: 12. Remind staff and students about resources 13. Provide training and parent support networks