Perhaps you have heard of the phrase: It takes a work of heart to be a teacher. In other words, working as an educator requires not just knowledge and pedagogical skill but also the emotional and caring aspects of teaching. Many of us had a teacher who made a positive impact on our lives — drawing us out of our shells, stretching our thinking or inspiring us to pursue our dreams and passions.

However, as research shows, the desire to make a difference, a cornerstone of teaching, can be eroded from the torrent of daily pressures and larger systemic issues. It is no secret that educators are leaving the field in alarming numbers for a variety of reasons:.

• Inadequate salaries
• Lack of administrative and instructional support
• Less autonomy
• Mounting pressure to deliver what sometimes feels like unrealistic results

The feelings of being undervalued, overworked, and burnt out are statistically all too common. In response to this crisis, many schools and districts are actively promoting resilience- building practices that help sustain a life of heartfelt commitment in the field of education.

Building Resilience with Specific Tools and Strategies

HeartMath has worked with educators for many years and continues to provide them with more tools to both support their mental and emotional well-being and manage the stresses of teaching.

These focused interventions with educators are designed to offset some of the mental strain and burdens of teaching. We are highlighting just a few of the tools we offer educators. Promising research data below supports the effectiveness of these practices.

Using biofeedback devices to measure Heart Rate Variability (HRV):

Often considered the body’s stress barometer, HRV measures the variation in time intervals between heartbeats. A more ordered or coherent HRV indicates a more balanced and adaptable nervous system. Many educators utilize HeartMath HRV biofeedback devices with their phones to help them build their coherence practices.

Using Heart-focused Breathing™ (HFB) Technique to achieve Heart Coherence:

Heart Coherence is a state characterized by a balanced and synchronized heart rhythm. This tool is used in many situations to help educators consciously shift their emotional state from overwhelm and agitation towards greater calm, focus and clarity.

For example, a teacher facing a disruptive student, or an antagonizing colleague can in the moment practice HFB with their eyes open. Not only will this diffuse the situation at hand but also prevent longer term negative effects of the stress like disrupted sleep, hurt feelings and a host of physical symptoms including stomach aches.

Recognizing Renewing and Depleting Emotions:

HeartMath programs equip educators across the world with effective strategies to identify, understand, and manage their emotions constructively. This doesn’t mean suppressing emotions; it’s about learning to recognize them objectively and respond in a way that aligns with an educator’s values and goals. This includes tools to help with relationships and communications that are so important to the healthy culture of a school environment.

The Power of Data: POQA-R4 Results Showcase Improvements

The POQA-R4 is a norm-validated assessment of workplace quality which gathers self-report information on key psychological and workplace elements that contribute to the overall quality and effectiveness of an organization and its employees. Based on 52 questions, it has four major scales of workplace quality which directly affect health and job performance: Emotional Vitality, Emotional Stress, Organizational Stress, and Physical Stress. Subscales provide a more fine-grained picture of the components.

One hundred and twenty-five teachers who work in a variety of education settings participated in seven different HeartMath-related interventions. Pre- and post-POQA-R4 assessments were administered before and after training and coaching over a period of 4-6 weeks. Although there was no control group to compare against, nonetheless, the results showed statistically- significant results in several key areas of resilience.

Beyond the Individual: Effect of a Calmer Classroom

Investing in educator well-being has a positive spillover effect on the classroom. Teachers who use HeartMath for their own well-being also find the tools can be helpful for managing student behaviors and improving student performance.

• Enhanced Classroom Climate: Educators who feel calmer and more centered are better equipped to create a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.
• Improved Student Engagement: When educators are less stressed and more emotionally balanced, they can foster a more engaging learning experience for their students.
• Reduced Turnover: By providing educators with practical self-care strategies, teacher turnover is reduced leading to greater classroom stability.

Educator Resiliency Is a Crucial Job Skill

Educator burnout is a complex issue. Clearly, educator resilience is one crucial piece. These skills empower educators to better navigate the emotional ups and downs of the classroom, cope with various demanding school/district/state policies, manage stress from challenging workloads, and maintain a positive and supportive environment for students. With stronger resilience, educators can more easily bounce back from setbacks, adapt to constant change, and continue to inspire and motivate their students year after year. This is the important work of the heart.