There's a Light at the End of the Tunnel!

After turning in LE 6, 7 and 13, I feel like a monkey just jumped off my back and I can finally breathe again. Although the semester is not over, I can finally start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Each week I have a moment of reality and shock when I write this blog and think about how much closer I am to student teaching... Oh my!

Going off of last weeks blog about stress, I found an article that talks about 4 Powerful Mindsets for Turing Stress into a Positive Force. Yes, this semester, next semester and the rest of our lives are going to have stressful times, but there are ways to turn those into positives. I really enjoyed this article because at times I always let stress get the best of me and bring out the worst in me. I think it is very important to stay positive and not get overwhelmed by the little things.

The article started with this statistic. "In a 2015 survey of 31,342 teachers, 73 percent said they often felt stressed. Only 3 percent said stress was rare—and frankly, I’m wondering if they filled in the wrong bubble. While 89 percent had been highly enthusiastic about teaching when they started, only 15 percent felt the same way at the time of the survey."After I read this I was beginning to think about my decision as a teacher and if was was really going to be worth it. I continued to read the article and began to remember the reason I want to be a teacher and my passion for children. 

These are four ways that you can turn your stress into a positive force. 

See the meaning in your stress When you feel discouraged by the realities of teaching, think about why you teach and what matters most. Recall this motivation before you enter a stressful situation, such as a difficult conversation with an administrator or parent. Doing so can bring out your best self and help you connect with others, while keeping your stress response in check.

Try a growth mindset When you find yourself dwelling on a negative situation, ask yourself how it can contribute to your personal goals. What lessons can you take from what happened? Can it be a starting point for positive change in your classroom or your school?

Practice vicarious resilience We all vent about difficult situations or students—and this can get you the moral support you need. But balance this habit by remembering to reflect on what is most elevating about your work. Make a ritual of ending the school day by thinking about a student who demonstrated character, courage, or kindness. Share your favorite stories with others.

Think about our common humanity When you feel stressed, remember that you are not alone. Remind yourself that teachers all over are frustrated by the same stressor. Think about colleagues close by who are dealing with the same situation. Let this mindset propel you to connect with others so that you might share ideas, strategies for change, and much-needed self-compassion.

I would relate this to Standard 1 of the NC Professional Teaching Standards. Being able to turn stress into a positive force requires being a teacher leader. It is very important be able to lead your classroom and push through during a tough time. Leading your student even when you are discouraged and forget the reason why you are teaching.