School system offers extra support to help teachers start year with positive mindset

This paid piece is sponsored by Bishop O’Gorman Schools.

As families get ready for the start of a new school year, many take extra steps to make sure their student is mentally prepared to head back to class. As teacher burnout continues to grow across the country, more teachers are making sure they are ready to return to the classroom with a positive mindset too.

“I feel like there is a lot more on my plate during the school year. Not only am I responsible for taking care of my family and my home, but every August, I become responsible for a new set of students,” said Katie Breckenridge, a third grade teacher at Holy Spirit Elementary.

“As teachers, each day we’re constantly thinking about not only the educational needs of each student but also their emotional, physical and spiritual needs as well. Add to that lesson planning, grading papers, communication with parents, various meetings, etc., and every day is a busy one.”

And she’s not alone. Many teachers report feeling increased anxiety when they jump back into teaching after summer break. With the added pressure to learn new students’ names, establish new routines and organize their classroom, teachers have realized how important it is to use their summer months to take a moment for themselves and decompress.

“Every summer, I give myself the first month or so to let go of the stress and responsibilities of the school year that has just concluded. I allow myself to do things that I enjoy and soak in time with my family,” Breckenridge explained.

“You hear people say that teaching can’t be that bad because we have our summers off, but summer is a crucial time that is needed for teachers to reflect and relax.”

Julie Manning, a teacher at O’Gorman Junior High, also appreciates the break.

“In the summer, I spend a good deal of time with my husband, daughters and granddaughter, which brings so much joy to my life,” Manning said. “It’s important to recharge for the upcoming year. Once that begins, time for oneself is pretty limited.”

Switching from a summer to a back-to-school state of mind can be challenging for a teacher fresh out of summer break. Breckenridge and Manning both said that easing into the transition is the key to avoiding any back-to-school blues and keeps them excited for the coming year.

“I find it helpful to start coming in a few hours a day for a few weeks before school starts and doing a bit of preparation each day; then, I don’t feel overwhelmed when it’s actually time to begin,” Manning added.

They also said having the support system at Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools helps them keep moving forward even in the stressful times.

“My advice to new teachers is to talk with veteran teachers and to reach out to other new teachers who are also going through the same process,” Manning said. “I have so many wonderful colleagues and an administrator from whom I am able to gather advice and support throughout the year.”

Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools helps combat the burnout teachers often feel during the year by offering a staff mentorship program that establishes a connection to another colleague so they have someone to turn to who has experienced similar situations. In addition, there are special faculty meetings where teachers can ask for advice from other teachers on how to handle their stress levels.

“My co-workers can empathize with the stresses I am experiencing and are helpful in brainstorming solutions or approaches I can take to deal with those stresses. Teaching is not a job you can do alone,” Breckenridge said.

As the school year begins, they said that finding time for oneself, even during the busy school year, is important for not only themselves but also for their students and will help establish a learning environment where students can thrive.

“We do need to make time for ourselves, or we won’t be successful in reaching the goals we set for ourselves. Finding time to do things that bring you joy and peace are important for everyone,” Breckenridge said.

“For any new teachers that are already feeling the stress of the school year, take it one day, one hour, one minute at a time. You are doing what you can and doing the best you can, and that is enough. Your students just want to know that you care about them and that you are doing your best to teach and support them as they learn and develop throughout this school year.”

If you’d like to join the Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools family, there are several classroom job openings available. Contact the director of human resources at 605-575-3349 or visit ogknights.org. If you are interested enrolling your child in a Bishop O’Gorman classroom, contact the director of admissions at 605-575-3358 or visit ogknights.org.