Step One: Breathe!

Inspired by Mental Health Awareness Week and the craziness that accompanies the end of the school year, we wanted to offer three simple tips to help keep our users mentally well. 

At Derivita, we know that teaching high school math can be both rewarding and challenging. Amidst lesson planning, sorting out final grades, guiding students through complex concepts, and getting ready for summer school - it's crucial for math teachers to still prioritize themselves. 

Here are three tips to help high school math teachers stay mentally healthy as we near the end of the school year.

1. Establish Boundaries and Prioritize Self-Care: 

Teaching can often feel like a 24/7 job, with never-ending tasks and responsibilities. So that’s why setting boundaries for yourself is so very important. Designate specific times for grading or lesson planning and stick to those schedules. During your designated personal time, prioritize self-care activities that bring you joy. Those activities can look different for everyone as long as it is time dedicated to personal rejuvenation and relaxation. 

2. Seek Support and Connection: 

Sometimes we get so fixated on our work and our to-do list that we can unintentionally isolate ourselves - which, in turn, leads to creating more challenges for ourselves or experiencing burnout. Seek support from colleagues, mentors, or support groups within the education community. Sharing experiences, seeking advice, and receiving encouragement from others are all super helpful and remind all of us in this industry that we are not alone.

3. Practice Mindfulness and Stress Management: 

Teaching is demanding. And that part of the job can often lead to feeling overwhelmed. To combat these stressful feelings, try to incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine. This can include meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply taking moments throughout the day to press pause. Additionally, with time management and organization techniques, educators can feel more in control of their workload. That control can help with feelings of overstimulation or general anxiety. 

Introduce Derivita in your classroom to lessen your mental load!

Request a demo with a Derivita expert today: