Teaching is one of the most rewarding yet challenging professions, and when you're working with complex students, the challenges can feel even greater. These students may face a range of obstacles—whether it’s being impacted by challenging circumstances at home, managing emotional health challenges, or academic difficulties. As an educator working with them, you’re not just teaching lessons; you’re often acting as a support system, a counselor, and sometimes even a lifeline. But here's the thing: you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Taking care of yourself is crucial, not just for your own well-being but also for your ability to be there for your students. Self-care might seem like a luxury or something hard to find time for when you're juggling lesson plans, meetings, and trying to keep up with the ever-growing needs of your students. But, in reality, it's essential. Self-care helps you stay energized, focused, and mentally and physically healthy, so you can give your best to the students who need you the most.
Let’s talk about why self-care matters for educators working with complex students and explore some simple, practical strategies to help you recharge, stay grounded, and keep your passion for teaching alive.
1. Recognize the Weight You Carry
As an educator of complex students, you carry a heavy load. Not only are you responsible for academic progress, but you’re also supporting your students’ emotional and social development. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that you need to be everything for them—someone who can offer guidance, empathy, and understanding. But here’s a truth bomb: you can’t be everything to everyone. Your role is incredibly important, but you are still human. Recognizing the weight you carry is the first step to realizing that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary.
Ann Potter, MSM, MEd
2. Make Time for Reflection
When you're in the thick of it, it can be hard to step back and see the bigger picture. Reflection helps you process your experiences, learn from them, and make adjustments where needed. It’s also an effective way to release stress. Take time at the end of each day or week to reflect on what went well and what didn’t. Celebrate the small victories—like that moment when a student had a breakthrough or when you helped a student feel heard. It’s easy to focus on the challenges, but reflection enables you to stay connected to the positive impacts you're having.
Try journaling for a few minutes at the end of the day. It doesn’t have to be anything formal—just jot down your thoughts, feelings, or anything that’s on your mind. It’s a way of processing what you've experienced so you can move forward with a clearer, calmer mind.
3. Set Boundaries
This may be one of the most challenging yet most important aspects of self-care for educators. With the emotional weight of teaching complex students, it’s easy to blur the lines between work and personal life. You might feel the urge to work late, respond to emails during weekends, or bring work home because you want to help your students succeed. But overworking yourself can lead to burnout.
Set clear boundaries around when you’re working and when you’re off. It’s not about neglecting your students but about ensuring that you have the energy and mental clarity to help them in the long run. Perhaps you limit email responses to business hours or avoid grading papers on weekends. Create space in your personal life to rest and recharge.
4. Develop a Support System
You’re not alone in this journey. It’s vital to have a network of people—whether it's colleagues, friends, or family—who understand the demands of your work. Don’t be afraid to lean on them when you need to. Share your wins and struggles, and allow yourself to be authentic. Talking about the difficulties you face can help release some of the emotional pressure you’re holding.
Having colleagues who share similar challenges can also be a great source of support. You can vent, exchange ideas, and remind each other that you're doing important work, even on the tough days. Build a sense of connection with your peers and foster an environment where self-care is valued.
5. Find Ways to Decompress
After a long day with your students, it’s important to have ways to decompress and shake off the stress. What works for one person may not work for another, but the goal is to do something that allows you to unwind. It could be going for a walk, practicing yoga, cooking a nice meal, reading a book, or watching a favorite TV show. The key is to make sure you have time every day for yourself.
Physical activity is particularly helpful. It releases endorphins, which are natural stress relievers. A short walk or a quick workout session might be all you need to reset your mind after a long day. If you have a hobby, make time for it. It’s not selfish to engage in things that bring you joy—it helps you stay balanced and keeps your passion for teaching alive.
6. Prioritize Your Health
Your physical and emotional health are critical for you to be effective in the classroom. If you're constantly tired, stressed, or run down, it’s harder to give your students the attention and care they need. Try to prioritize sleep, eat nourishing foods, and stay hydrated. It might feel like you don’t have time, but even small changes can make a big difference.
Consider implementing a sleep routine—aim for 7-9 hours of rest each night. Eat meals that fuel your body, and when possible, get outside for some fresh air and sunlight. These basic steps can help you feel more energized, focused, and capable of tackling the demands of your job.
7. Learn to Let Go
As an educator, you may sometimes feel like you're responsible for every outcome in your classroom. It’s easy to take on that guilt when students are struggling, but it’s important to remember that you can’t control everything. Not every student learns at the same pace, and sometimes external factors impact their progress. Recognizing that you are doing your best, even when things don’t go perfectly, is a key part of self-care.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Focus on the small wins, and remember that teaching complex students is a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate the incremental improvements, and give yourself grace on the days when things don’t go according to plan.
Ann Potter, MSM, MEd
8. Seek Professional Development and Mentorship
One way to support your own growth as an educator and self-care is by investing in your professional development. When you feel like you’re constantly stuck in a cycle of burnout, learning new strategies can reignite your passion and give you tools to better manage your classroom. Seek out workshops, seminars, or online courses that offer tips on working with complex students.
Having a mentor—someone more experienced who can offer guidance—can also be incredibly valuable. Mentorship provides a space for you to discuss your challenges, get advice, and learn from someone who's been there. It’s a way to grow professionally while also ensuring that you have someone to turn to for support.
9. Practice Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques
Mindfulness is a simple but powerful practice that can help you manage stress and stay grounded. Taking a few minutes each day to focus on your breath, practice deep breathing, or do a quick meditation can do wonders for your mental well-being. Even if it’s just five minutes of quiet reflection in between classes, it can help you reset and be present for your students.
10. Know When to Seek Professional Help
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious, it’s okay to seek professional help. Seeking professional support, such as therapy or counseling, is a powerful way to care for your psychological wellness and to help manage the mental and emotional strain of your job. Talking through your challenges with a professional can help you process your emotions, build resilience, and provide you with valuable tools for coping with stress and preventing burnout.
Final Thoughts
As an educator of complex students, you are doing incredibly important work, but it is easy to forget that you, too, need care and attention. Prioritizing your own self-care is not selfish—it is essential for your well-being and for your ability to continue making a difference in the lives of your students.
Self-care is about creating sustainable habits that protect your well-being and allow you to continue doing the work you’re passionate about. Your students need you at your best, and to be your best, you have to take care of yourself first. Remember, you’re not just a teacher—you’re a human being, and you deserve to be cared for too.
Ann Potter, MSM, MEd
written by
Ann Potter
Ann Potter is an instructional coach specializing in early childhood development, play-based instruction, and early elementary instructional practices. She has been a reading specialist, general education co-teacher, inclusion teacher for students with emotional disorders, extended school day lead teacher, grade-level technology lead, and paraprofessional supporting elementary technology instruction, but she started her career as a software engineer for a computer consulting firm. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys traveling and has continued to support her community as a reading tutor and daycare provider. Ann is an Instructional Coach for Early Learners with her Bachelors in Business Administration, Master of Science in Management, and Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.
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