In news that will surprise no teachers, a new study has found that 93 percent of elementary school teachers experience high levels of stress. But schools can mitigate the harmful effects of stress by providing proper supports, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to teacher well-being.
In the study, researchers from the University of Missouri surveyed 121 elementary school teachers, asking questions such as, “How stressful is your job?” and “How well are you coping with the stress of your job right now?” Teachers reported on their levels of burnout and cynicism and on feelings of accomplishment and self-efficacy—their belief in their ability to be effective teachers.
Lead author Keith Herman, a psychology professor, and his University of Missouri colleagues found that “the high stress levels reported by nearly all teachers in this study confirm prior evidence suggesting that teaching is a stressful profession.”
Teacher stress is high partly because the demands of the job can lead to emotional exhaustion, which arises as teachers try to manage the emotional needs of their students in addition to their academic needs. Not all students come to school ready to learn, and distracted or disruptive students can quickly drain a teacher’s emotional energy.
According to a 2013 report, 40 percent of new teachers don’t feel adequately prepared to handle classroom management or discipline issues, and both new and experienced teachers identified classroom management as “the top problem” they struggle with. And when students need high levels of emotional support, teachers are at risk of experiencing vicarious trauma, the so-called “cost of caring” they pay when a student shares his or her traumatic experiences.
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