Teacher burnout and student stress may be
linked.
There is a connection between teacher burnout and students’ cortisol levels, which are a biological indicator of stress.
In classrooms in which teachers experienced burnout or exhaustion, students’ cortisol levels were elevated. Higher cortisol levels have been linked to learning difficulties. This suggests that stress contagion might be taking place in the classroom among students and their teachers. We still do not know what came first – elevated cortisol or teacher burnout. It seems that the connection between student and teacher stress is a cyclical problem in the classroom. A stressful classroom climate could be a result of inadequate support for teachers or students that may affect quality and effectiveness of education. A poorly managed classroom can contribute to students’ stress. This could be reflected in elevated cortisol levels in students. Alternatively, stress could originate from students, who may be more challenging to teach because of increases in anxiety, behavioural or family problems, or special needs. In this scenario, teachers could feel overwhelmed and report higher levels of burnout.
It is clear that teaching is one of the most stressful professions, and that teachers need adequate resources and support in their jobs in order to battle burnout and alleviate stress in the classroom.
It is essential to support teachers, students and parents to build a three-way profitable communication system for the benefit of all and for a better education.
There is a connection between teacher burnout and students’ cortisol levels, which are a biological indicator of stress.
In classrooms in which teachers experienced burnout or exhaustion, students’ cortisol levels were elevated. Higher cortisol levels have been linked to learning difficulties. This suggests that stress contagion might be taking place in the classroom among students and their teachers. We still do not know what came first – elevated cortisol or teacher burnout. It seems that the connection between student and teacher stress is a cyclical problem in the classroom. A stressful classroom climate could be a result of inadequate support for teachers or students that may affect quality and effectiveness of education. A poorly managed classroom can contribute to students’ stress. This could be reflected in elevated cortisol levels in students. Alternatively, stress could originate from students, who may be more challenging to teach because of increases in anxiety, behavioural or family problems, or special needs. In this scenario, teachers could feel overwhelmed and report higher levels of burnout.
It is clear that teaching is one of the most stressful professions, and that teachers need adequate resources and support in their jobs in order to battle burnout and alleviate stress in the classroom.
It is essential to support teachers, students and parents to build a three-way profitable communication system for the benefit of all and for a better education.
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