Guest article by Dr. Jared Scherz.
Dr. Scherz is a clinical psychologist, author, consultant, and the founder of TeacherCoach, LLC. For information about his program, contact him at [email protected] or visit his site at http://teachercoach.com. You can also contact Robyn to learn more about TeacherCoach and how they can support you or your district this year.
As a new school year begins, educators face the familiar mix of excitement and pressure. Maintaining both physical and mental health is essential for teachers who want to bring their best selves into the classroom. Below are ten practical strategies aimed at building resilience, improving well‑being, and strengthening professional practice. Each recommendation is designed to be actionable and relevant for teachers and school leaders who want lasting, positive change.
1. Build coping capacity: Use distress inoculation to increase tolerance for discomfort
Work environments that are chronically stressful require a higher tolerance for emotional discomfort. Distress inoculation techniques—brief, progressive exposure to manageable stressors combined with coping practice—help people stay deliberate in how they respond under pressure. The longer you can sit with difficult feelings without reacting impulsively, the more choices you have for healthy, intentional responses instead of anger or withdrawal.
2. Reduce fragmentation: Practice constructive ways to approach differences
One underappreciated skill is learning how to explore differences rather than avoid them. When people view differences as threats, relationships become shallow and teamwork suffers. Teaching students—and practicing yourself—how to engage respectfully with varying perspectives prevents fragmentation in classrooms and staff teams and supports inclusion in multicultural and digital environments.
3. Improve communication: Create reciprocal feedback loops with colleagues
Many conflicts escalate because people involve others instead of addressing concerns directly. Establishing clear, reciprocal feedback loops—agreements about how and when to give and receive feedback—keeps conflicts contained and constructive. These systems should include boundaries, timelines, and commitments to stay engaged through the decision‑making process.
4. Manage supervisor feedback: Learn to receive feedback without defensiveness
Classroom observations and evaluations often trigger stress. Developing skills to receive feedback calmly—by separating observation from interpretation and using reflective questions—reduces defensiveness and increases professional growth. Regular self‑awareness practices help teachers identify blind spots and remain current with evolving instructional and social‑emotional needs.
5. Strengthen negotiation skills: Ask for support before resentment builds
Teaching can be isolating by nature, so asking for and negotiating the support you need is essential for preventing burnout. People differ in how they feel supported; being clear about your preferences and negotiating realistic accommodations early avoids misunderstandings and helps maintain long‑term collaboration.
6. Value school culture: Recognize how culture affects performance
“School culture” is often used vaguely, yet it profoundly shapes both staff and student experiences. Consider culture across three dimensions—adaptation, climate, and infrastructure—and notice how each dimension influences daily life. Understanding these layers helps leaders and teachers address systemic influences on morale, engagement, and learning.
7. Identify triggers: Notice why certain students provoke stronger reactions
Some student behaviors can feel especially irritating because they trigger our own unmet needs or past experiences. Recognizing these triggers is a vital self‑reflective skill: it shifts focus from blaming the student to understanding what the interaction brings up in you, which in turn improves relationships and classroom management.
8. Integrate personal life and work: Acknowledge how personal issues affect presence
Teachers, like all professionals, bring their personal lives to work. Rather than expecting to leave “baggage” at the door, a healthier approach is to acknowledge how personal stressors influence potency, presence, and peace. Reflective practices and supportive coaching can help integrate personal and professional needs so teachers feel more whole and effective.
9. Focus on process as well as outcomes: Balance accountability with autonomy
Lower stress is often linked to valuing process over outcome. High‑stakes accountability can push teachers to prioritize measurable results at the expense of creativity and professional judgment. When educators are involved in shaping processes—how instruction is delivered and how decisions are made—they regain autonomy, which supports motivation and well‑being.
10. Recalibrate body and mind: Tune into physical cues to support resilience
Teachers spend much of their energy in cognitive tasks; when we neglect the body, stress accumulates. Our bodies send signals when needs are unmet, and learning to notice those signals—through brief movement, breathing exercises, or mindful check‑ins—improves intuition, presence, and energy both in and out of the classroom.
Dr. Scherz, TeacherCoach
For more information about TeacherCoach programs, contact Dr. Scherz at [email protected] or visit http://teachercoach.com. If you would like assistance implementing these ideas in your school or district, reach out to the contact listed above to learn about workshops, coaching, and practical supports for educator resilience and student success.