Classroom Chronicles
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Introduction
Today we’re diving into a crucial topic; burnout among kids, teachers and schools. Joining me is Cali Boyle, a close friend, a dedicated educator, and mother. As a grade one teacher with a four-year-old son, she brings a unique perspective to the challenges facing teachers, students, and parents alike as they navigate the pressures of the classroom.
Challenges Faced by Teachers
Cali does not claim to be an expert in this area, but as a working parent and educator, she has firsthand knowledge of how modern-day stressors are affecting teachers. She shares that education tends to attract people who care a lot, have very high standards for themselves, and love learning, which pushes them to keep up with all the latest information and learning strategies. Couple that with all the daily stressors at work, and teachers all over the world are struggling to find the joy that led them to teaching.
Impact on Children
Burnout in the parents is perpetuating into our kids and we don’t even realize it. This shows up in behavioral issues, which often manifest in the classroom setting. It’s a perpetual cycle. Children don’t have enough time in nature; for exercise; unstructured play; time to just be kids; to be creative and be bored, all of which help kids to regulate themselves.
Strategies for Well-Being
Cali discusses the practices she adopts for her well-being, as well as the strategies she implements in her classroom. Meditation, hypnotherapy, affirmations, and tapping form a part of her routine both for herself and her students. If we’re not careful we’ll create a generation of children who are burned out by the time they’re 20. Cultivating strategies for ourselves as parents and educators, but also teaching these strategies to our students is important.
Recognizing Burnout in Kids
Recognizing burnout in kids is crucial. What often shows up in the classroom are signs such as tiredness, irritability, anxiety, and relationship issues. These can indicate a deeper problem in a child that needs to be addressed. Look for ways to build routine around simple connection – reading a book together before bed instead of an audiobook or chatting in the car instead of turning on a podcast. Fostering connection will go a long way in helping a child regulate.
Practical Tips for Parents and Educators
As an educator, Cali recommends setting hard limits for yourself when it comes to when/where you choose to work. Prioritize eating well, sleeping well, and finding time for play and creativity. As parents and educators, it’s important to practice what you preach. Get to know yourself, how you function, what recharges and what drains you, and get to know your kids like this too.
Conclusion
When our nervous system is dysregulated, we will dysregulate our kids’ nervous systems as well. It’s important to be conscious of yourself and how you’re showing up for your kids. If you’re cynical and not finding joy in the things you used to, it’s time to stop yourself and look into getting the support you need so you can keep it from transferring to your kids.
Resources
Be sure to check out the resources Cali recommended for parents and educators as you work toward keeping you and your children from burnout, and as always, let’s live our lives lit! 🔥
Do Schools Kill Creativity? - Ted Talk by Ken Robinson
https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity
Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators by Alena Aguilar
Science of Reading-What I Should Have Learned in College | Facebook
The Zones of Regulation | A Curriculum For Emotional Regulation