Teachers are naturally inclined to encourage growth and empowerment in the lives of others. However, as "caregivers," teachers frequently neglect to do the same for themselves. Daily they experience countless and often increasing demands from administration, community, parents, and students alike. Added to these demands are many personal and family responsibilities.
A common response to these external demands is to try to take care of the needs of others while too often ignoring our own needs. Recent psychological and educational research, however, points out that when we take care of ourselves, the quality of our lives and relationships improves and our productivity increases. We are actually able to be of greater service to others when we are giving from our own fullness and well-being. We understand that we can make the choice and don't need to feel either guilty or self-righteous when we put our own needs and well-being first.
In today's schools, teachers are responsible for teaching much more than content. Teachers are also expected to exhibit effective interpersonal skills, foster positive attitudes, and enhance children's self-esteem and self-confidence. These expectations require much of teachers. They not only have to know their subjects and be masters of their content - they also have to encourage learning and positive development of their students. They need vast wisdom, energy, and patience. They need a good supply of personal reserve. Today's fast-paced world, the growing needs of children that are falling on schools and teachers to meet - all combine to produce pressures that can negatively affect even the most positive and confident people. One of the first insights we learn about self-care and renewal in these times of pressure is that we hold the key to our own self-care. As we exercise this key, we transform our experiences, we re-energize ourselves, and we pass it on to those around us.
You often need an extra reserve of energy and compassion to adequately teach and help "at-risk" children. We believe this reserve is available only when you are committed to replenishing and maintaining a high level of personal and professional self-care. Too few dollars, too little time, and higher expectation each year. Does this sound familiar? The invitation to also make a commitment to self-care and renewal may seem unrealistic to you at this time.
We feel, however, that it is extremely important that you accept this challenge and find ways to foster your self-care and renewal on a daily basis. As you learn how to take care of and continually renew yourself, you can become increasingly effective in your personal and professional lives.
