I suppose a common thread running through all areas is a feeling of time pressure. This points to the wisdom of the first two modules dealing with time management.
Since this is my first quarter teaching I feel stressed on a weekly basis when preparing for classes. It is a new commitment and that can always be stressful. I also work full-time, have a home to take care of, and I am married. We also have two dogs so I feel stressed a lot. Working, paying bills, caring for the house, etc. It can all be very overwhelming at times. I am enjoying the new teaching experience however. I think it has been a great learning experience and have a much deeper respect for instructors!
lack of organizational stress
organizational culture
lack of consistency
not unholding rules.
The majority of the stressors I face are created from the general work environment. I attempt to minimize my stressors by leaving work at work. By bringing work home to try and get ahead, I find I am never truly away from work. This leads to higher stress, higher blood pressure, and a general unhappiness.
These all sound like tough stressors Aimee, and they're all pretty common for instructors too.
With the economy I actually work two jobs. One as a teacher (part-time) and one as an IT Director (in title). I actually wear all the IT hats as we are small, but my end users want the world. So for me the economy is a stresser and not have time to be with my family as much as I used to is a stressor.
Being a new teacher is very stressful. Getting to know the school rules, how students react to new instructors, not knowing where everything is… it is all overwhelming. Time and getting to know the layout will make things less stressful.
other staff members that do not follow the courses as described can be stressful
That does sound stressful David. One of the biggest challenges is the way that method can set student expectations for the way your class will be taught.
the biggest cause for stress to me is organizing all the paper work compiled in each course. the tips on organizing paper work will be a big help. Now i just have to find the time to do it.
Length of hours required on the job, Change of requirements of the job, safe conduct of all students involved in my section, Making sure 4 different classes get the understanding of safe conduct in lab, Constant supervision of all 4 classes. Working with students in a dangerous inviroment. All in a three week time frame. Done, handeled, but stressfull most of the time.
Stress is a challenge to manage. I try to put things in perspective and do what I can and list the things that need to be handled in the order that is important.
As a technical instructor I enjoy my job and is often a stress releiver even though the income to hour ratio can be stressful when unexpected expenses are dropped in your lap because family have unrealistic expectations of my ability to cover their spending.
It can be tough when your family has unrealistic expectations of your spending abilities Eric. This is especially true as we approach the holiday season. One way to cope is to give them a little more transparency into the total amount of money coming in.
Yes, paperwork organization is key Kenneth. One of the best ways to do this is electronically if you can - especially on a shared drive. This way, you have access to your organized files from any computer that has access to the drive.
Mostly my stress is caused by the "change of plan". When planning for something to happen yet doesnt, I have to reformat my goals. I understand this causes more stress to me. We only can change what we can.
Some general areas of major stressors in my life and career are:
1. Recently negotiated a year-long lawsuit from my former company.
2. My wife had three major surgeries over the past 10 months.
3. We are looking at the potential to move our home to a better neighborhood.
4. Worried about pulling the kids out of another school.
5. Have been instructing now at the university since May, so a change of career.
6. The uncertainty of having to travel frequently to deliver my course of instruction.
These are mostly personal stressors; however, the frequent travel, job change, and maintaining professional credentials as an educator are all organizational factors of stress. Just to conduct one iteration of my course, I am responsible for contacting all the students, coordinating the location and guest speakers, ensure appropriate funding is available, etc., etc. We have no staff to handle these things for us...it is all on the instructor. So, instead of having to just worry about the conduct of the course, we also have to be concerned about all of the logistics and the outcome (ratings) of the course and the instructors.
There are the stressors that arise as an instructor. Finding ways to deal with and balance the stresses associated with student, organization, and personal needs is imperative. Living on stress only last so long before burn out occurs. Finding the balance between professional and personal life is key to achievement.
Yes, maintaining a healthy balance between personal and professional activities is key Robert. If we are not careful in the short term, we really can burn out longer term. So it's important to focus on the causes of stress early and deal with them quickly.
Wow, this is a long list Curt -- but it probably feels nice to get it on paper and out of your head. I can see that some of these items are likely out of your control, but others in your sphere of influence. Deal with those you can control first and you will make some good progress.
