Educators today are operating in an increasingly demanding and complex environment. Although the profession has always presented its fair share of pressures, the challenges have intensified in recent years — from shrinking budgets and expanding class sizes to adapting to new ways of teaching and overcoming learning loss from the pandemic.
All of this comes against a backdrop of ancillary impactful factors that include safety and security, family and community engagement, and the division and uncertainty posed by the current sociopolitical climate.
That’s where K-12 administrators can be particularly influential, says Elizabeth Shanley, a former elementary teacher with nine years of experience in the public school classroom setting and, currently, an assessment consultant for Pearson. They can be “the great connectors between staff, students and families.”
As K-12 leaders aim to encourage and champion classroom and specialist educators, they recognize the need to adopt strategies for helping these educators cope while supporting students as they navigate today’s complicated environment.
Understanding current adversities teachers face
Teachers today face new stressors that impact how they do their jobs, and the toll it takes on them can be huge.
Two in five (41%) public K-12 teachers say debates over what schools should teach with regard to topics such as race and gender identity have had a negative impact on their ability to do their jobs, data from the Pew Research Center shows. Nearly two-thirds (65%) say they limit discussions about political and social issues in class, according to the 2023 State of the American Teacher survey from RAND Education.
The added concern for personal safety is yet another significant stressor, with nearly 60% of public K-12 teachers saying they are at least somewhat worried about the possibility of a shooting event at their school, including 18% who say they’re extremely or very worried.
The combined burden of all these issues has real consequences, with Pew data finding that teachers are less satisfied with their jobs than U.S. workers overall.
Create an uplifting, empathetic climate
Administrators can make a significant contribution by aligning with their “front-line” colleagues. To manage the realities of today’s classroom environment, school and district leaders must understand and support teachers’ mental and physical health, much in the same way as they do their students’, Shanley points out. She suggests administrators make it a priority to connect directly with staff on a personal level. “Initiate face-to-face conversations so you are familiar with their life,” she says. “Asking about the little things shows you value them as people.”
One of the best ways to ensure teachers feel appreciated is to make sure they have time to breathe, Shanley says. For example, can you provide an extended lunch period by offering coverage from volunteers or other faculty and support members?
“The value of having extra time either to yourself or to connect with your peers is critical,” she says. “People in other professions don’t realize it’s a luxury to go to lunch each day or enjoy authentic conversation with colleagues, rather than constantly be racing against the clock.”
Where budget allows, she adds, consider offering tangible luxuries that give teachers a reprieve from their busy days, whether it’s a visit from a massage therapist or a hosted lunch.
Foster a culture of open communication
While genuine appreciation can go a long way, there’s no substitute for helping educators feel empowered to engage with families, especially on topics that may stir strong feelings. This is where the school community can feel administrators’ impact as a connector, Shanley says.
One place to start is by providing platforms for internal conversation. “Institute an open-door policy and encourage those conversations by emphasizing teachers are in a safe place to discuss concerns, whether it’s pressure from social media or a stance they perceive parents taking,” Shanley says. “Administrators can remove a layer from teachers’ shoulders by assuming some communication activities with parent communities regarding these larger issues while encouraging teachers to maintain the one-on-one relationship with caregivers specific to student performance.”
And, of course, as teachers cope with these extensive pressures, administrators can help ensure access to robust mental health resources, such as counseling services and stress management workshops.
Don’t overlook your own self-care
Administrators aiming to ease the weight on teachers shouldn’t overlook their own needs. “Putting on your own oxygen mask is certainly an apt metaphor,” Shanley says. “You’re leading by example and working to assuage some of the stickier areas of their role. That doesn’t mean you don’t have many of the same issues.”
She recommends administrators connect with peers at other campuses or surrounding districts. “No one functions at their best when they’re absorbing all the pressure themselves,” she says. “You don’t have to have all the answers. Build up your network of support, both professionally and personally, to be able to better weather these challenges yourself.”
Developing a supportive framework among all stakeholders
As the great connector, K-12 administrators play a key role in building bridges among all factions of the school community, from educators to families. “It’s the job of the village. Campuses and districts run best when all components combine to work toward the greater good of student improvement,” Shanley says.
For more information on how to help everyone in your school community — including yourself — grapple with the pressures of modern education, visit Pearson’s Mental Health Resource Center.