For me the issues are sometimes student needs but more often college requirements. The student need issues usually center around makeup work for missed assesments. I have started to control this recently by setting aside specific times for student makeup work and having the students conform to my time slots not their personal desires,
The college requirement issues have been harder, if not impossible, to deal with. I have spoken with my boss about the frequent moving of me from subject to subject area, some of which I only teach once every couple of years. My supervisor feels I should take these assignments as a compliment, an indication of his respect and confidence in my abilities.
time management can be the biggest stressor in my life. On occasion I teach a class that is supposed to end at a certain time, and the other instructor I work with can't always seem to cut his lecture short so we stay on track, then I am driving like a mad peson to pick my child up at school on time. If I am not on time she is crying when I finally get there.
One of my major stresses is that I work a full time job during the day and then teach courses at 2 different career schools during the evenings. My standard week has me working nearly 70 hours. I am a father of 3 young children and it is stressfull because I am not at home as much as I would like.
Sometimes the stress comes when I am asked to teach a course that I am not as familiar with which requires many hours of outside preparation.
Additionally, some college requirement factors seem to always be pushed on faculty last minute - especially paperwork that needs emergency attention or other school meetings.
I have found that if I don't take the time to exercise and eat right - then I can get very run down & then thats when I get sick. It is a bad cycle.
Wow, that sounds like a lot of stress Michael. One of the things you mentioned was being asked to teach a course that you're not familiar with. That is stressful because it can cause you to have to do a lot of extra preparation. In these cases, look to your fellow instructors who have taught your course. They may have materials that they can share to save you time.
College requirements are indeed stressful, particularly when you feel like they are out of control. Voicing your preferences is a good first step in the right direction.
Faulty equipment in class rooms, varying levels of education and life experience among students.
The varying levels of education and experience among students can definitely cause instructors stress. We must find ways of helping everyone grasp important course information, but these varied backgrounds can cause challenges.
I am a single mom with two great kids. However their after school life keeps us all very busy. I work full time, tend to the kids at night, and sometimes not settling down until about 10:00pm. I remember I haven't done laundry, haven't gone food shopping, and haven't paid the bills. This will stress me out. I try to plan my week a little strategically so I can accomplish everything.
Strategic planning will help Carolyn. In addition, recognizing that you can't accomplish everything and setting realistic expectations for yourself will also help.
most of my stressors are college requirements and management
At times we are our own worst enemy. We can use our thought life to rationalize ourselves into a corner causing stress.
We have to protect what we see and hear? Media fast of newspapers, "Oh no not the web", texting, social networking or do we stay connected to the Matrix.
For me it's have the equipment and nessecery product to teach the class. Biggest stress factors are:
1. Classrooms with equipment that keeps breaking
2. Students who tend to be needy and take away my time from the others who need and have pertinent questions.
3. Not haveing the product to cook in class.
4. Searching for equipment to fill the student needs in the classroom.
Requirements and management are both major stressors for college instructors. You are not alone!
Putting oneself first is the best thing and the toughest thing to do. I try to practice yoga everyday (does not always work). When I get into a stressful situation, I rely the breathing techniques to calm me down. If the stress interferes with my sleep, again, I try to focus soley on my breathing and I can usually fall asleep.
Putting oneself first is the best thing and the toughest thing to do. I try to practice yoga everyday (does not always work). When I get into a stressful situation, I rely the breathing techniques to calm me down. If the stress interferes with my sleep, again, I try to focus soley on my breathing and I can usually fall asleep.
Work stressors are mostly organizational. Keeping up with new curriculum, current industry trends and constant change in student demographics. Add to this personal stress of having elderly parents in poor health makes for a life of stress.
It sounds like you are dealing with many sources of stress Vinita. Yes, organizational matters like new curricula and evolving industry trends can definitely cause instructors stress.
Personally, I find stressors from all catagories. It is hard not to think of problems at home when they arise. Sometimes just being in a clasrrom for 6 straight hours creates stress in itself. Both from the fact that yoy are in constant student contact but also because that is "tied up time" and you can't take care of any pressing issues during this time. The varied ability, intellect, and possibly apathy of students create stress. Rewriting of cirriculum as mandated by a corporate intity or local administration also create stress.
I work full time two jobs as well as being a parent of a teenage daughter and married to a full-time working wife. Need I say more? In addition, at our school we are teaching while a construction project is going on within our offices and classrooms. I could go on, but it is important to maintain a level of balance, and to let things go, as well as stay optimistic about the future.
John Eliassen
Construction projects can be so stressful John. I would check to see if you can temporarily request work space that is furthest away from the noise.
