REDUCING STRESS IN THE

CLASSROOM

Luann Burrows-IrigoyenTanya E. de Duran-Ballen

November 2012

HOW HEAVY IS THIS CUP OF WATER?

WHAT IS STRESS?

Stress is related to perceiving the world as

Manageable or

Unmanageable

TEACHER STRESS

ACTIVITY:

LIST 5 STRESSORS AT SCHOOL &5 STRESSORS AT HOME

STRESSORS AT SCHOOL:

1. Job Security.2. Low Salaries- Annual Incremental Raise

not in pace with cost of living.3. Conflict between amount of time to

teach and the curriculum.4. Heavy workload means no time to relax

within the work day.5. Culture Shock and Language Barrier.6. Parental Pressure

SYMPTOMS OF STRESS INTEACHERS

Moodiness and Over-sensitivityConstant Worrying- Feeling OverwhelmedFinding it Hard to Remember ThingsPessimismMuddled Thinking- Reduce Work OutputOver or Under EatingIncrease in Drinking or SmokingFrequent Minor IllnessesSleep DisturbanceHigh Blood Pressure

SYMPTOMS OF STRESS…

In Summary:

Emotional Changes

Thought Changes

Behavioral Changes

Physical Changes

REMEMBER:

KIDS STRESS

ACTIVITY:

LIST 5 TOP STRESSORS OF YOUR STUDENTS

AT SCHOOL & HOME

VIDEO

MAJOR CAUSES FOR STRESS IN YOUNG CHILDREN

BUSY SCHEDULES

ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS

PEER PRESSURE

PARENTAL ANXIETY

NEWS

LANGUAGE BARRIERS/ CULTURE SHOCK

SYMPTOMS OF STRESS

UNEXPLAINED PAIN

REGRESSION

ANXIETY OR FEAR

WITHDRAWAL

WHAT TO DO TO REDUCE STRESS IN YOUR CLASS

FOLLOW THE 3 PRINCIPLES TOREDUCE STRESS &

ENHANCE THE MANAGEMENT OFOUR WORLD

PRINCIPLE ONE

PRACTICE POSITIVITY-

Use contingencies instead of consequences

“You can do that as soon as you do ”

PRINCIPLE TWO

PRACTICE USE OF CHOICE-

Help them remember they have a choice

“I am choosing to….”

PRINCIPLE THREE

PRACTICE REFLECTION-

Teach them to Self-Evaluate

“Is my behavior helping me finish my work ”

CONCLUSION

STRESS IS HARMFUL FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

IT MUST BE MANAGED BEFORE IT BECOMES A BURDEN

REMEMBER THE CUP OF WATER- PUT THE CUP DOWN AND REST FOR A MOMENT.

JUST RELAX!

NOW…..

STRESS TEST

FOR HOME