In the ninth episode of the Growth over Grades podcast, Melody engages in a conversation with Tim Cavey, a veteran educator, administrator, and podcaster. Tim Cavey delves into the expanding scope of responsibilities placed on teachers, emphasizing that teacher wellness matters, and the importance of establishing boundaries to safeguard their well-being and ultimately promote student growth.

Strategies for Managing Stress and Fostering Growth

Addressing challenges such as trauma-informed care stemming from the pandemic, heightened expectations within the teaching profession, and the overall increased demands of modern life, Tim Cavey highlights the prevalence of teacher burnout as a pressing issue. Drawing from his own wealth of experience in education, Tim Cavey offers practical wellness strategies for educators to establish boundaries outside of school hours to enhance their mental health. He acknowledges that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, encouraging teachers to adopt approaches that resonate with their individual needs and circumstances.

Listen, watch, or read the key takeaways below.

Episode Highlights

• 3:53 Why is there a need for teacher boundaries and how do they contribute to student growth?
• 16:14 How do you use your role in education to protect the healthy boundaries for teachers?
• 18:46 Have you received pushback?
• 20:38 What is one piece of wisdom that you’d like to share with other educators?

Key Takeaways

• Establishing boundaries is essential for teacher well-being. These practices allow for necessary distance and balance within one's professional responsibilities:
  • Consider taking mental health days when necessary;
  • Refrain from grading every assignment;
  • Feel empowered to decline coaching opportunities;
• Maintaining emotional resilience and engagement in the classroom is paramount for fostering student growth and learning.
  • Students benefit greatly from the presence of well-supported and emotionally balanced educators.
  • The vitality of teachers greatly influences student growth and learning outcomes.
• Educators must recognize it is acceptable not to collect every student assignment. By focusing on assessing students against standards rather than chasing after every task, teachers can maintain a healthy balance.
• To combat teacher fatigue, it's advisable to establish healthy phone habits:
  • Keep devices out of the bedroom at night
  • Set them on do-not-disturb mode around the clock
  • Treat them as tools to be utilized when necessary, allowing for uninterrupted focus on tasks when needed.

Looking to embed SEL into your practice? Listen to S1E10 with Tom Schimmer.