Work-Life Balance: Mental Well-Being on the Educational Frontlines | Part 2 (Ms. Flores)
The mental health of educators is a critical issue that often goes unnoticed behind the scenes of academic achievements. Ms. Flores, an experienced teacher, addresses the mental health challenges that educators face, exacerbated by a lack of institutional support. "The system...has not been reinforced with resources," she states, highlighting how this oversight can lead to significant stress and burnout among teachers.
Ms. Flores tackles these challenges head-on through regular mental health check-ins with her students. This practice not only supports the students' emotional well-being but also helps her monitor her own stress levels. "It's about how they view challenges and what they can control to have moments of peace," she describes. These sessions become a space for mutual support, where emotional burdens are acknowledged and managed collectively.
Ms. Flores, a teacher at Paseo Academy of Fine & Performing Arts sits next to a photo of a painting with a quote from Mayans-Luis Valdez
She points out the systemic issue of inadequate boundaries within the educational system, which often places undue stress on teachers. "The concept of boundaries has not caught up in education," she observes. This lack of boundaries can leave educators feeling perpetually on-call, blurring the lines between work and personal life.
Despite these challenges, Ms. Flores remains committed to advocating for better mental health resources and support systems within schools. She believes that addressing these issues is essential for the sustainability of the teaching profession and for the overall health of educators.
By sharing her experiences and strategies, Ms. Flores provides a beacon of hope and a call to action for educational institutions to prioritize and support the mental health of their staff. Her insights are a powerful reminder of the need for systemic change to ensure that educators can continue to thrive both in and out of the classroom.