Fear & Chaos in schools - what about teachers?

The pressure on teachers continues in the wake of a global crisis

We already know teacher stress is high and now in the midst of chaos and fear, it is even higher. As we struggle to manage the existing complexities within a school, we also have to keep the curriculum going, engage students in effective learning, keep safe distances, make sure people wash their hands and on top of this, manage our own anxiety and personal health.

People expect us to be superhuman as teachers, and while we mostly are, there comes a point when we have to say..... "What about me?"

What we do know is these are not normal times and this is not normal stress. In fact, these are times of chaos and uncertainty that often breed fear and unprecedented behaviour from what is normally law-abiding citizens. We need to acknowledge these crazy times and have compassion for both ourselves and others. There are no clear-cut answers and no step by step plans to follow. Let's listen, share and work together to manage this crisis. Let's acknowledge our anxiety, our vulnerability, and fear with a lens of togetherness. We literally are all in this together where no one person is more or needs to have more than the other.

Schools leaders are struggling for direction and answers just as school staff are. Students and parents equally feel uncertain about what to do and when. We must come together with an understanding that we all manage change and uncertainty differently, that there is no right way or one way.

Let us also acknowledge the collective traumas that came before Covid-19 here in Australia;

• In December the focus was on drought,
• In Jan the focus was on bushfires,
• In Feb we have a virus
• .... it seems high-intensity events are becoming the new norm. 

On a personal level, I can add that my mother-in-law passed away in February and quite unexpectedly. She went into the hospital with a chest infection in mid-January, a week later was diagnosed with cancer and 6 months to live .... 4 weeks later in mid-February, she passed away. Between trips to the hospital and managing a household. I still had work commitments I had to follow through. This included running a business with emails, invoices and developing resources. It also involved me running keynotes and workshops (on wellbeing no-less) across three states at schools and conferences. I had to draw on all my own learnings and resources to 'hold my shit together' when all I wanted to do was curl up in a corner and cry. Thankfully, the beautiful people in these sessions allowed me to draw energy and strength from their kindness and feedback.

To say the last few months have been tough would be a complete understatement.

The flip side of this has resulted in realizing how lucky I/we are in having so many amazing family and friends. How grateful I am for the team of people who work with me and how much I love sharing insights and wisdom with others. I don't teach these skills of wellbeing because I read them in a book, I live them daily. We all have 'stuff' that happens, the question is how are you going to respond to it?

This brings us to NOW..... What we know is that it is inevitable that schools will shut down at some point soon. Like many other training organisations, my face-to-face workshops are postponed and to be honest, I am really looking forward to having some FORCED SHUTDOWN TIME. I don't know about you but I really need some time-out, & frankly, I’m looking forward to it. I'm sure you deserve it too.

In this time of 'forced' slowness, I am looking forward to a number of things;

1. Doing nothing 
2. Reading books I’ve been wanting to read (I have a book fetish)
3. Researching websites and resources (so many amazing people doing amazing things)
4. Planning new activities & resources (my head is full of ideas)
5. Painting, drawing, gardening, cooking (because its fun)
6. Cleaning out boxes of old resources (that I still don't use, but might one day)
7. Laughing, connecting virtually with family and friends (I have a sister in San Francisco, they have been in shutdown for a while now, we make muffins via Skype)

Now it's your turn;

• What are 3 things you have to be grateful for on this day?
• How might you be able to share your feelings at the moment eg journal, talk to a friend, call LifeLine 13 11 14
• What exciting project could you work on at home if your school shuts down?

IHere are some other articles and resources from Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley that may prove useful in the coming weeks;

• How to Avoid Feeling Defeated in Today’s Crazy World
• How to Keep the Greater Good in Mind During the Coronavirus Outbreak
• How Can We Stop Prejudice in a Pandemic?
• How School Closures Can Strengthen Your Family
• Using Expressive Writing to work through an emotional challenge 

Take care and please stay well

Daniela Falecki