May 22, 1998

Stress Potential for Educators is High

Dan Emerson Staff Writer

Experiencing stress is part of being alive --- especially in times of rapid change. Consider the ancient Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times."

However, these are particularly stressful times for teachers because of certain changes taking place in the profession, says Dr. John Fennig, Ph.D., a psychologist and CEO of DRI consulting in Minneapolis. "The shift to site-based management and away from central school district control is placing more responsibility on teacher's shoulders and they're being told to make decisions they didn't make before."

Add to that the increased push to measure results for accountability purposes. "In trying to be fair and equitable, we end up painting teachers into a corner," Fennig says.

Even in the best of times teacher's "total commitment" to their jobs makes them more susceptible to stress and burnout than people in most other walks of life, Fennig says.

As a result, "Their potential for being consumed by work is much higher," Fennig says.

Behavioral experts offer the following advice for reducing stress and minimizing its effects:

Step Back

It's important to try to respond to stress events and situations rather than reacting, says Mari Tankenhoff, MA, LP, principal in the Minneapolis consulting firm of MindFitness, Inc.

"Responding" means taking time to briefly step back and consider a situation (when conditions allow) rather than immediately reacting. "We get in trouble when we do a lot of reacting," Tankenhoff says.

Think Positive

To a great degree, stress arises from the way we react, not the events themselves.

"What we tell ourselves is very important, more important than the event itself," Tankenhoff points out. "Ask yourself, is this a disaster, or a opportunity for growth and challenge? Think, 'this may be tough, but we can overcome it.'"

Clarify your mission

Be aware of your career mission.

"Ask yourself what you're setting out to do in terms of making a difference," Fennig advises. "If you're clear about your mission, you can have a reasonable amount of control over that mission."

Talk about it

Obviously, confiding in someone you trust -- a spouse, friend, colleague, or professional counselor -- is one of the quickest, most effective measures to reduce stress.

Try something new

Research has shown that boredom and too much repetition are as likely to cause stress as high pressure situations. A drastic career change may not be necessary. Try new classroom techniques or consider a change of grades to recharge your teaching batteries.

Choose your battles wisely

Often, Tankenhoff says, "control is an illusion. Nobody has complete control over themselves or others; we strive for it all the time, but it doesn't happen. Choose your battles wisely."

Take action

Obviously, regular exercise -- even a brisk walk -- is one of the the best "stress busters."

"Ultimately, the profession will pass through this time of change," Fennig says. "The challenge for teachers is figuring out ways to have power and independence but also find time to 'feed' themselves."