Everyday Problems Stress Teachers the Most

Posted by teacher on July 10, 2011

Stress levels of teachers in the Washington region have jumped to new heights since the sniper attacks began nearly three weeks ago. Yet teachers are credited with keeping their classrooms from boiling over. “They are bearing up in an unbelievable fashion under unbelievable conditions,” said Prince William County Superintendent Edward L.Kelly.

Even without the pressures of a violent crisis, teachers complain that their jobs, while rewarding, are getting harder because of too few resources, too much paperwork, crowded classrooms, students with emotional problems, low pay and high-stakes standardized tests.

a report of a teacher about their professional stress-
My biggest stress has to do with the issues that kids come to school with that are so difficult to identify. I’ve had these children for two months almost [this school year] and there are still issues that hold up their educational process. I talk to parents but still can’t get the children to attend to the task given. It’s not an academic problem, it’s a social problem.

Yes, we’re dealing with the stress of the sniper. That explains away the last week or so, but we’ve been dealing with this issue since September. I don’t know if this is a holdover from September 11, but I find that more than ever, these kids have different things on their minds and are finding it hard to pay attention in school. . . .

I try to handle it to the best of my ability. I don’t let a lot of things bother me. I decided a long time ago not to let financial matters and other things get to me. But the kids have a harder time.