What stresses out teaching teams?

That teaching staff are stressed is nothing new, especially those working in compulsory secondary education. Numerous studies highlight this reality. For example, according to the International Barometer of Education Workers' Health and Wellbeing (2023) , more than 80% of teachers have reported symptoms of anxiety or depression in recent years, linked to high student-teacher ratios, excessive teaching hours, and a lack of resources to address diversity in schools. The First National Study on Teachers' Mood (2023) also reveals that almost 40% of teachers perceive themselves as being in an emotional state associated with moderate or severe depression. Furthermore, more than 13% report suicidal thoughts or intentions, particularly those aged 41 to 50, and predominantly women. But what are the factors that trigger this distress?

The report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Unraveling the Layers of Teachers' Work Stress (2023), delves into the sources of work stress in secondary school teaching teams , based on data from the 2018 Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS). This analysis concludes that there is indeed a high incidence of stress in this group :

• 48% of teachers in OECD countries reported experiencing "quite a lot" or "a lot" of stress in 2018, even before the pandemic.
• Although 90% say they are satisfied with their job, only 76% believe that the advantages of being a teacher outweigh the disadvantages.
• A third wonder if it would have been better to choose another profession.

Another important finding relates to the type of school where they work . In half of the participating countries, teaching teams in highly complex schools experience more stress than those in schools without this level of complexity. The data also reveals a degree of stress from having to respond to constantly changing requirements.

Loneliness in educational teams

Read more

In general, the factors that cause the most stress to teaching teams are related to:

• Maintaining classroom discipline
• Having too many classes to teach
• Administrative tasks
• Excessive correction tasks

These factors, especially the first one, have a direct impact on the level of satisfaction of teachers and on their decision to continue teaching.

Factores de estrés de los docentes de la zona OCDE. Fuente: Desentrañando las capas del estrés laboral de los docentes (2023)

Although studies address the emotional well-being of teachers and students, there is very little data on the impact of student emotional distress on teaching staff. However, student emotional distress can lead to behavioral problems, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and even bullying . These problems, in turn, increase stress and the emotional burden on teachers, affecting their well-being and professional performance.

The educational ecosystem is complex and multifactorial. Many of the stressors identified in the aforementioned reports are difficult to control individually . It is important to bear in mind that these stressors for teachers are psychosocial factors associated with the educational environment. It is crucial not to interpret these factors as personal, but rather as factors generated by the organization of work that must be addressed from an institutional perspective that considers working conditions. This perspective is essential for implementing significant and sustainable changes that improve teachers' well-being.

It is essential to review some recommendations to help teaching teams manage stress:

1. Strengthen classroom management

• Establish clear rules of coexistence and daily routines with the students.
• Promote positive relationships with students to prevent conflicts.
  

Strategies to strengthen the bond between teachers and students

Read more

2. Organize the workload

• Prioritize tasks: distinguish between what is urgent and what is important.
• Group corrections and use rubrics to streamline the evaluation process.
• If possible, collaborate with other teachers to plan and prepare lessons as a team.

3. To rely on the school community

• Sharing concerns with colleagues: talking relieves stress and can bring solutions.
• Participate in teacher support networks or pedagogical reflection groups.
• Establish clear and proactive communication channels with families to avoid tensions.

4. Seek continuous strategic training

• Focus on training that is useful for this context: attention to diversity, curriculum adaptation, working with vulnerable students, etc.
• Take advantage of free resources offered by educational institutions or digital platforms.

Self-care guidelines for teachers

Read more

5. Managing external expectations

• Learn to set healthy boundaries regarding administrative tasks or non-urgent external requests.
• Discuss with the management team the issue of excessive workloads or necessary resources.

6. Take care of your personal well-being

• Ensure breaks throughout the day: even 5 minutes of mindful breathing can make a difference.
• Dedicate time to activities outside of work (sports, art, reading, etc.).
• Don't normalize feeling exhausted: recognizing stress is the first step to managing it.

7. Promote emotional balance

• Keep a record of emotions and stressors to identify patterns.
• Use self-regulation techniques such as mindfulness , reflective writing, or journaling.