I just spoke with a friend that is student teaching. The word “stress” popped up in our conversations several times. He is doing what every student teacher does, putting 110% into the experience. He is starting to feel fatigued and, overall, stressed from everything: lesson planning, school involvement, family communication, grading, paperwork, etc.
I shared with him one of my favorite quotes from Road to Teaching that reads:
“The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed.” – Martina Navratilova
While it’s important to be involved, my advice to my student teacher friend was not to be the pig. Don’t over commit to activities outside of class and, in the end, you won’t get burned-out / slaughtered from the pressure. For example, instead of committing to coach the basketball team, volunteer to be fill-in when needed or maybe even be the assistant coach. Rather than taking lead on planning a big school-wide event, take a smaller role or just simply volunteer for a few hours.
Also, it’s okay to say “no.” Your cooperating teacher, other teachers, and administrators understand that you are under a lot of pressure and you have some type of personal life outside of the school.
RESOURCE LINK
Road to Teaching: A Guide to Teacher Training, Student Teaching, and Finding a Job
This is good advice because I am nearly burned out. I am getting home late like 7-8PM then working some more. Then I am helping out the Arts Dept. I feel like it’s starting to affect my home life a little. I need to pull back a bit.
This is good advice because I am nearly burned out. I am getting home late like 7-8PM then working some more. Then I am helping out the Arts Dept. I feel like it’s starting to affect my home life a little. I need to pull back a bit.
I recently found your site and I have to tell you that it has been very relevant & beneficial for me to read! I am glad I finally found a site like this since I am a student teacher!! I just began my second placement and I can tell it’s going to be overwhelming…but I am going to TRY not to get over-involved!!
I have added you to my blogroll…again, great site! Thanks!
I recently found your site and I have to tell you that it has been very relevant & beneficial for me to read! I am glad I finally found a site like this since I am a student teacher!! I just began my second placement and I can tell it’s going to be overwhelming…but I am going to TRY not to get over-involved!!
I have added you to my blogroll…again, great site! Thanks!
thanks missteachercasey! best wishes in your second placement. you are almost done!
thanks missteachercasey! best wishes in your second placement. you are almost done!