There is a lot of discussion about students returning to school, but what about the school staff? School staff are under immense pressure as they head back to school. Some may be excited for their very first day, some may be heading into their last year, and some may have anxiety or stress from the past school year. Regardless of their emotions, we need to recognize their enormous contribution to our society, country, and children.
For several years, some people have not shown respect to school staff members. We must remember that while they are balancing everything that is required of them, they also have their own families and households to manage. Each year, they are given new professional development to assist students in achieving their goals and benchmarks. They often use their money to decorate their classrooms and provide necessary items so students can learn and feel loved. Teachers spend countless hours learning about the students in their classrooms, reviewing IEPs, 504 plans, and behavior plans to prepare for the new school year. They provide love, education, and structure to our kids in numerous ways.
We need to recognize that teachers are the only profession that teaches every available profession and guides students to engage in a variety of learning opportunities to become well-rounded individuals. They don’t do it for the money. Teachers expose students to many career options, teaching them about deadlines, responsibility, kindness to others, and so much more. School staff spend countless hours preparing engaging lessons for students at all levels, including gifted children who may need a more challenging curriculum. Some students come to school just to be loved and may act out because of traumas they have endured.
As they prepare to head back to work in the coming weeks, let's show them our appreciation rather than saying things like "It can’t be that hard to work in a school" or "They only work half of the year." Yes, they have breaks and summer vacations, but look at the school parking lot after hours - they have professional development sessions to attend, meetings, conferences, after-school learning opportunities for students, and much more. Remember they may have anxieties, be working through other mental health issues, and could be under a lot of stress. Sending letters of appreciation and words of affirmation can go a long way. If you have the means to purchase items for their classrooms, consider showing them extra appreciation, such as a spa day.
Working in schools is not easy but can be a very rewarding job when staff see a lightbulb go off in a student’s eyes after they finally understand something that was a struggle for them. School staff love our kids and spend endless hours preparing to teach them to read, prepare for next-level learning, and help them reach the goal of graduation. They do all this selflessly, and we can do better in supporting their profession as a society.
If a school staff member is struggling with the stress of the upcoming school year, don't hesitate to reach out to a local counselor. Therapists are here to help you along your healing journey, teach you to manage stress, and provide tools to decrease anxiety while increasing your mood.