Workload and Pressure: Things That Help Teachers During Times Like These (Session Description)

Session Description:

Educators around the nation are experiencing a harrowing double whammy right now:

1. Schooling amidst the pandemic has produced a number of workload increases, no matter which model you’re teaching in; and
2. Conscientious educators feel an enormous pressure to provide a world-class education for students who are experiencing an unprecedented disruption to their K-12 careers.

Left alone, these two simultaneous factors — increased workload, increased pressure — are bound to burn us out. In this session, we will examine practical strategies for managing these unique circumstances.

Participants will:

• Examine why it makes sense that this year is so challenging for so many of us.
• Take away practical methods for mitigating the negative mental, emotional, and social effects of increased workload and pressure.
• Consider the strategies best suited to their circumstances so that they can get off the burnout hamster wheel and get on with living and working as best they can.

Advance Reading (if desired):

• Why Is This So Hard? Productive Thinking on Managing the Workload and Pressure of the 2020-2021 School Year
• Optimal Pressure
• The Secret Skills of Master Teachers: Predictable Time Off
• The Secret Skills of Master Teachers: Working Hard (and Smart)
• You Actually Can, and Should, Shut if Off
• Teacher Attrition, the Serenity Prayer, and the Resilient Inner Life
• How to Build Resilience, Part 1: Acceptance of Reality
• How to Build Resilience, Part 2: A Strong Sense of Purpose
• How to Build Resilience, Part 3: Adaptability

About Dave

Dave Stuart Jr. is a high school teacher in Cedar Springs, MI, who writes and speaks about teaching. His blog, DaveStuartJr.com, is read by 50,000 educators per month, and his bestselling These 6 Things: How to Focus Your Teaching on What Matters Most has been cherished by teachers around the world. Dave is also an accomplished creator of professional development experiences, having spoken on over 150 different occasions, both overseas and in 40+ US states.

When he's not working (which is more common than you might assume), Dave cherishes time with his wife and four children.

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