CLASSROOM CHAOS? HARNESSING TEEN STRESS MANAGEMENT 

Part 3 of our “CLASSROOM CHAOS?” series delves into techniques you can use to minimize your own stress levels as a teacher. Students will mirror your tone. The more relaxed you are, the more calm your classroom will be.

PART 3: FOR YOU AS A TEACHER

FLEXIBILITY: The pressures of meeting benchmarks, standards and daily instructional goals are stressful for you and your students. Be mindful that teens are still developing their coping skills for academic stress. Consider flexibility in assignment deadlines to accommodate them during difficult times. 

BE A REALIST: We all want the teens we work with to optimize their academic performance. You might need to “real” in your expectations and remind yourself (and students), it’s okay not to be perfect! We all stumble in this thing called life. 

CONSTRUCTIVE CONNECTIONS: Teens are searching for relationships with trusted mentors who genuinely care about their lives. Create a safe space through active listening and empathy to help your students feel comfortable discussing their stressors with you. 

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION: Be keenly aware of your own biases, stereotypical assumptions and understand your worldview. This will support sensitivity to student diversity in the classroom and build a strong rapport with teens. They will appreciate you!

AUTHENTICITY: Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Share who you are with your teen students in terms of personality, your humor, or perhaps interests. They can smell when teachers aren’t being genuinely true to themselves and will tune-out if they don’t know the real you.

SHARE THE WEALTH: Be willing to share the responsibilities involved in a classroom. Motivate students to take on leadership roles and be a part of decisions for your communal classroom. Let your teens be creative with their learning paths with guided decisions.

Remember that managing teen stressors is an ongoing process, and it’s essential to adapt your approach based on the unique needs of your students. By creating a supportive and understanding classroom environment, you can help teens navigate their stressors and thrive academically and emotionally.