Stories by Sherry Posnick-Goodwin
Photos by Scott Buschman
No job is more rewarding than teaching. When a student's eyes light up with understanding, it's a magical moment that transforms both student and teacher.
At the same time, no job is more demanding than teaching. These days, teachers are not just teachers. They are social workers and surrogate parents. Many go above and beyond the call of duty, doing everything from serving their students a hot breakfast to tutoring them at lunch or after school.
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The Redwood City Teachers Association hired Jill Korengold to teach yoga to her fellow chapter members, many of whom teach in schools where there's tremendous pressure to raise test scores. Here she helps Barbara Cantalupi perfect her form. |
But in the process of caring for others nonstop, teachers may be neglecting their own health and putting themselves at risk for serious illness. With more and more demands upon their time - and the accompanying stress from "trying to do it all" - health problems are on the rise within the teaching profession. Teachers have a higher rate of certain types of cancer and a higher percentage of autoimmune disease than other professionals.
Rising incidence of teacher illness may be partly due to an aging workforce; the average age of a California teacher is 44.3. As people age, diseases become more commonplace.
However, the demands of the job can make it a challenge for teachers to take proper care of themselves. It's hard to get enough sleep, exercise regularly and eat nutritious meals when working all day without a break and planning lessons and grading papers at night.
Toxic environments in old, deteriorating classrooms and even brand-new schools can also impact teacher health, as well as student health. Chemicals, pesticides and molds can cause respiratory and other problems.
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Peggy Smullin assumes a stress-releasing posture. |
Fortunately, the news is not all grim. There are many choices teachers can make to promote wellness rather than illness. In fact, the New Year might be an ideal time to make healthy lifestyle changes that will make you feel better, look better and relate better to your students. Healthy choices might include getting a mammogram, starting an exercise program, relaxing with yoga, or serving fruits and vegetables at teacher meetings instead of doughnuts.
There are also things that can raise one's spirits and relieve stress, such as "letting go" of losing battles, using laughter as good medicine, taking time for things you enjoy and making a conscious effort to lead a balanced life.
So put your feet up, put on some soothing music and take a few moments to read the following stories. It might make you a healthier person. It might even save your life.