Professionalism Keeps Good Teachers

Posted by Tammy Andrew Mar 10, 2009

I was amazed when I read the statistics about how many teachers leave teaching, and it isn't primarily due to retirement! I can understand leaving for personal reasons - life happens to everyone - but to leave because of lack of support and dissatisfaction for a career for which you had to have once had a passion towards shocked me.

Even when teaching children and teens, adults want to be in a professional environment. Administrators need to find ways to support their teachers, both new and established, so that they can succeed at their mission to teach. At the same time, teachers owe it to themselves and others to do what they can to prevent burnout, which can easily lead to a spiral of dissatisfaction.

When I find myself stressed about school I head right for a hot cup of herbal tea and a hot bath. Sometimes, it takes a rough and tumble tickle fight with my children to relieve the stress. Whether it is relaxation or physical activity and laughing that releases the pressure I know I will be better able to think my way through and find new ways to approach the problem once I have taken care of myself.