The above question just screams teacher at me, especially as we flail away at the COVID gap. How is your health, teacher? How is your stress level? Do you think that stress level is going to improve?

I am going to assign what might be the first homework of a nearly 10-year-old blog. Write your best five paragraph essay explaining why your stress level is going to improve. What is about to change for the better? Then read what you wrote and ask yourself if you honestly believe your essay.

If you can’t write this essay because you don’t expect teaching life to improve, you may write an alternative essay. I’ll leave that topic more open. Perhaps, “how I am going to survive teaching?” Or “the long-term effects of stress on physical and mental health.” Yes, that sentence leads to a five pound book, not a five paragraph essay, but the essay will be a start. Maybe two essays, one on physical effects of stress and another on mental effects?

Eduhonesty: Too many of us act like we get to walk away from our choices in the long-run — and sometimes we do. But I lost a friend this week. Her choices caught up with her in the form of a massive stroke, just as she reached the traditional retirement age.

This post is not for the many teachers who love their positions, the teachers with helpful, supportive administrations, and a clear sense of fulfillment in their calling. You all rock and obviously your check engine light is probably fine, or at least unaffected by your work.

But if daily work stress feels overwhelming — for whatever reason — stop the car! Pull off to the side of the road. Take this summer to find a better position in a more supportive school. Or even make a huge leap and find an alternative vocation. Go back to school to change careers if you have to. Summer is your chance to reset your light and your life. Don’t let the summer of ’23 slip away.

Please share this with struggling colleagues. Hugs to all my readers,

Jocelyn Turner