Why is the role of a Special Educator more challenging?         

‘Some see disabilities, but special educators see the possibilities’. Children with special needs may have a range of mild, moderate or severe disabilities like learning disabilities, physical disabilities, difficulties in dealing with their emotions and may also have behavioral issues. Restlessness, moodiness and short attention span are some of the factors that take them longer to understand what is being taught in the classroom. Special educators have to understand non-verbal signs and be on the watch out for peculiar behaviours. They also have to prepare Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) to meet the unique learning style of each student by focusing on academics as well as on skills. Besides, they also have to set student goals and reinforcements, create lesson plans and content, provide differentiation in instructions, fill in planners, complete corrections, prepare question papers and reports, respond to emails, upgrade themselves with the latest assistive technologies and learning tools to make learning more creative and meaningful, attend staff meetings, parent meetings, prepare for school events; all of these in a limited span of time. The Coronavirus pandemic has shifted the classroom learning to online learning which has further increased the work load and screen time for teachers considerably. Amidst all of this, they also have to manage their household chores and perform their own roles as an individual.                

Special educators are doing an extraordinary job of making a difference to the children that need utmost care    

Warning Signs             

The increased work load, the challenge to maintain work-life balance and working in a low-paying profession may lead to high amounts of stress. The stigma around special educators teaching students with special needs is problematic in itself. It is vital to recognize the early warning signs before it aggravates. Some of the signs include decreased productivity, anxiety, dissociation, frustration and burnout. They may also show signs of compassion fatigue which is emotional and physical exhaustion on account of exposure to individuals that need high amounts of care. This can lead to a decrease in ability to empathize. Some may also want to leave the profession altogether.

Mental Wellness- A key to positive work-life balance

Below, are five tips that can help Special Educators to maintain their spark and keep their passion alive.  

1. Make self-care a priority

The need for adults to put on the oxygen mask for themselves first and then help others in case of an emergency during a flight is a well-known analogy. It is the need of the hour for special educators to make self-care a priority especially in these challenging times of online education. They need to take care of their mental and physical health in order to offer the best version of themselves to their students.  Eating healthy food, drinking enough water, regular exercise, physical movement and eye exercises during short breaks, sleeping for approximately 8 hours and switching off all electronics at least 30 minutes before bedtime can help to create a healthy mind and body. Setting a routine for these tasks is also important. Making use of creative apps to plan and create to-do lists will help to achieve these tasks.

2. Engage in creative activities                                       

Special educators strive to give their best to their students selflessly, caring for academics as well as their overall well-being. Being kind and compassionate, they walk the extra mile to provide their students with comfort and care. In this process, special educators also need to set aside time for themselves to engage in creative activities that they enjoy the most. Engaging in hiking, trekking, gardening,  listening to music, listening to a podcast, watching a movie, a humorous show, reading a book, learning an instrument, learning a new language, cooking, engaging in art and craft can boost endorphin levels which is the happy hormone and will help to decrease high levels of cortisol which is the stress hormone. These activities will help in building the mental wellness immunity which will in turn help them to respond appropriately to everyday stressors.

3. Take charge to inculcate mindfulness                                                      

A special educator has multiple roles and responsibilities. It is important to take a mental and a physical break to simply relax. Developing a habit of engaging in mindfulness which is to become aware of the present moment by taking a pause to observe thoughts and feelings without reacting or judging oneself. The art here is acknowledging emotions and letting them go.  This is a great time to focus on being calm, positive, to reconnect with one’s purpose, set intentions and look at oneself with compassion. It is important to give gratitude, focus on the positives, and find a step towards a solution instead of getting stuck on the problem. One can begin or end each day with a mindfulness quality time or even set aside one to two minutes of meditation during the day to quieten the mind. This will in turn help one to get refreshed and energized. Mindfulness also reduces stress, anxiety, improves focus and concentration, reduces depression, and helps prevent burn out.

4. Lean on your team for support

It is vital for special educators to lean and learn from their team at school. They should let their team know if they are facing any issues physically or emotionally. Sometimes, a simple task may seem overwhelming. For example, one may need help in coming up with a creative assignment or help with adapting to a new app or technology. Asking colleagues for help shows that one is a willing learner. It is also important to watch out for burn out signs in other teachers as sometimes one may not recognize it themselves. Sending an encouraging note or random acts of kindness to another teacher will improve one’s own mood as well as foster positivity.  They also need to celebrate each other’s achievements and success as well as learn from each other’s mistakes. Setting realistic goals, planning ahead, prioritizing important tasks and developing a growth mindset together as a team will help in goal achievement; both personally as well as professionally. Teacher support groups is also a helpful platform to help each other normalize stressors and share effective strategies and coping mechanisms.

At the school that I teach, professional development and employee engagement sessions are held for teachers. These sessions are well planned, curated and organized, keeping in mind the overall well-being of the employees. Creative movement, dot mandala art, positive mental health, controlling overthinking, positive mental health, physiotherapy and resilience were some of the themes covered. The teachers find these sessions rejuvenating. It is a time where they unwind, enjoy and learn new skills from experts as well as exchange ideas and collaborate with each other during activities.                                         

5. Seek professional help

Connecting and sharing your concerns with family and friends may make one feel better temporarily. However, sometimes stress can lead to anxiety, depression, mood disorder and feelings of worthlessness. It is best advised to seek professional help from a school counselor or a mental health professional before the situation intensifies further. Asking for help does not show weakness but instead it is a sign of strength and resilience to accept the circumstance and bounce back. The mental health of students and teachers are interconnected. If a teacher has a strong mental health, they will be in a better position to nurture students that need special care.

It takes a special person to teach someone special!

Although it is a deeply satisfying and a rewarding career, the work of a special educator comes with a host of challenges. Taking active steps to focus on mental wellness can make a huge difference to the overall productivity of the teacher thereby helping the students to reach their full potential.  A special educator is someone’s favourite teacher, mentor, guide and role model. A happy and mentally healthy teacher will be able to radiate positivity and provide quality education to their students. It is important for them to remember that they are endowed with a special skill set, patience and understanding. Special educators are doing an extraordinary job of making a difference to the children that need utmost care. Hence, their mental wellness should always be a top priority.