For confidentiality reasons, I am not privy to many details about my partner’s profession. However, one thing is clear: we purchase a significant amount of granola bars. He keeps them in his classroom for students who are not just casually hungry, but genuinely starving—those who feel the pangs of hunger that come from skipping meals time and again.
It broke my heart to learn that there were children in his classroom who were going without adequate food. I envisioned grand schemes to provide for them, but he was limited in what he could do. Those granola bars were his only means of support. While it was recognized that kids were going hungry—hence why the school provided breakfast—some students were unable to take advantage due to responsibilities like caring for younger siblings.
The Emotional Burdens of Teaching
When we think about teaching, our minds often focus on the academic aspects: lecturing, grading, and lesson planning. We rarely consider the emotional burdens that come with the profession, including vicarious trauma, which can arise from “repeated exposure to distressing stories,” as noted in a publication by the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. One anonymous educator shared, “Every year, you encounter students who are not achieving their potential due to traumatic circumstances beyond your control. All you can do is lend an ear, report to authorities when necessary, and provide food.”
Edutopia highlights that over half of children in the U.S. have faced trauma from abuse, neglect, violence, or challenging home environments. The CDC reports that approximately 35% of children have experienced multiple forms of trauma. These are the very students who fill classrooms—like my partner’s—each day. A teacher often becomes the sole caring adult in a child’s life, providing a safe space for them to confide. In “The Consequences of Reporting Child Maltreatment: Are School Personnel at Risk for Secondary Traumatic Stress?”, one teacher recounted a 6-year-old disclosing sexual abuse by her mother’s partner: “I think about her often. What happened to her? I didn’t recognize the signs back then, but I do now.” Even years later, she is haunted by thoughts of that child.
The Cost of Caring
As stated by Edutopia, the American Counseling Association describes this phenomenon as the “cost of caring,” where educators become witnesses to the pain and trauma that their students endure. Compounding this issue are mandated reporter laws requiring teachers to report any signs of child abuse—be it sexual, physical, emotional, or neglect. If a student appears injured, the teacher must engage in difficult conversations. For instance, in my partner’s case, he might say, “I’ve noticed you’re taking a lot of granola bars; when was the last time someone prepared dinner for you?” The hardest part is looking into the eyes of a child you’ve grown fond of, perhaps one who has just excelled in a subject, and hearing their story—it can be devastating.
LeAnn Keck, a manager at TraumaSmart, notes that teachers have increasingly taken on the role of caseworkers, becoming aware of their students’ lives and family needs, which can lead to secondary trauma. This trauma manifests similarly to primary trauma; the brain releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, elevating heart rates and triggering a flood of emotions. Teachers may exhibit various mental and physical symptoms, including anger, headaches, and avoidance behaviors. The National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology identifies common signs of vicarious trauma such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, emotional numbness, dissociation, and heightened startle responses. These issues can lead to depression and even substance abuse.
Strategies for Support
Fortunately, there are strategies to alleviate this burden. Edutopia suggests that opening up about experiences with fellow educators can provide essential support for those grappling with secondary trauma. Additionally, anticipating stressors and developing coping mechanisms can be beneficial. For example, if students tend to become restless just before the bell rings, teachers can incorporate that knowledge into their lesson plans. It’s also critical to establish boundaries; develop rituals to leave work behind when returning home. My partner, for instance, makes it a point to call me during his commute to decompress and transition back to his family life.
Teachers shoulder a significant and growing burden in today’s educational landscape. As we continue to impose standardized testing and accountability measures, we risk draining educators of the emotional energy needed for such a demanding role. This administrative pressure often leads to burnout, causing dedicated professionals to leave the field.
We must cultivate a greater awareness of vicarious trauma among educators and implement school-wide programs to address it. Only then can we retain passionate teachers and mitigate the risks of emotional exhaustion within this noble profession.
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Summary
Teaching extends far beyond academics; it involves emotional labor that can lead to vicarious trauma for educators. Teachers often find themselves bearing the weight of their students’ hardships, resulting in significant mental and physical strains. To support teachers, it’s vital to recognize the emotional toll of their work and cultivate coping strategies along with institutional support.