Practical Matters
Brandi Tallmage
Proactive Stress Management
As teachers I think we can avoid proactive stress by having a well organized classroom. If we have well planned and prepared lessons that are ready to go and engaging the students, then that is another stress management tool for us. I think that we also need to have a fun classroom where we can laugh and learn together because that is going to be less stressful on the me as the teacher as well as my students.
Proactive Stress Management
As teachers we need to be able to collaborate with our students and other teachers. In the classroom we need to set rules and have expectations and manners, have a schedule, active listening, and goal setting for the class as well as the individual students. I think that as a teacher if you do these proactive stress management techniques you are going to have a lot less stress in your life and classroom than most others are.
Reactive Stress Management
To avoid reactive stress as teachers we need to have rules and guidelines set for our students. As teachers we should have a system of support for both the students and our selves. This should be where if something is bothering any of us there is someone we can talk to so we are not stressing on it and taking it out on others. Another stress management tool would be to offer a thinking spot so they can go sit there and think about what they have done if they have done something wrong.
Reactive Stress Management
Other stress management that teachers can use to help students would be in class time out, or in the hall time out. This is a stress management strategy for students. Teachers can do the same thing by talking to other teachers during their planning times. If teachers aren't stressed, then the students won't be stressed, and the classroom will run smoothly. I think that stress management is not only important for students, but teachers as well in and out of the classroom.
My Thoughts
I think that as teachers it is important to remember that there are many things that i can do to avoid stress and bringing stress into the classroom. I think that if i am a well prepared teacher and have my lessons done ahead of time and the supplies ready to go that will be a big stress reliever. I also think that if i have a well managed classroom with rules and consequences it will make my classroom run a lot smoother with less stress as well.