The Importance Of Stressors Stacing Students And Teachers

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School systems are very complex. Most people do not realize that in order to create a successful school district, there needs to be commitment and dedication from the entire community. One of the most important components needed to create a prosperous school district is a devoted school board. School boards are responsible for connecting local educators, and federal and state levels with the local people in the community. Additionally, school boards must set academic goals, priorities and policies; empower the superintendent and provide oversight and accountability for results. Although many struggling school boards have switched to mayoral takeover, this becomes ineffective as education takes a back seat with all the other issues the …show more content…

Typical stressors facing students include overwhelming homework assignments, competition for good grades, fear of failure, peer pressure, and bullying. In addition, students may feel anxious when answering or asking questions in class, attending social events, or interacting with other students. Many students also experience stress when test taking, often “freezing-up” or drawing a blank when trying to complete their exam (Kusz, 2009, p. 15). Students may also have stressors outside of school because of extracurricular activities, work obligations, relationship problems, and home life. Common stressors impacting teachers include poor working conditions and lack of administrative support. Additionally, poor student behaviors have been found to contribute to teacher stress with hostility towards the teachers, not paying attention during class, noisiness, and lack of effort in class being the most stressful behavior factors. Feeling inundated with tasks is another stressor for teachers as many teachers are responsible for parent conferences, bus monitoring, staff meetings, and hallway supervision. Teachers in urban schools face particularly challenging stressors, such as violence, lack of feelings of safety, and poor community involvement. With one half of teachers leaving the profession within their first five years of teaching, it is evident that the stressors facing teachers are neglected by members of the wider school community (Ballantine & Spade, 2015, pp. 185-186; Fisher, 2011, pp.

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