By Sheena Noppen- CCC Registered Social Worker
Working for over seven years in the education system has given me a unique perspective on the inner workings of a school and the intense, often unseen stressors that come with the work. I’ve witnessed classrooms torn apart, children hitting, screaming, or running down the halls. I’ve watched as my own belongings were strewn across a room, or had to clear classrooms to keep children safe while simultaneously trying to reassure them that they were okay.
I’ve spent hours on the floor co-regulating with an upset child, or gently coaxing a student back into a classroom just to engage in a small amount of learning. I’ve seen the frustration and sadness on children’s faces when they are so dysregulated that functioning in a classroom feels impossible.
At the same time, I’ve also witnessed the incredible work of school staff—the dedication, patience, and creativity that teachers and support staff bring to their roles every single day. I’ve seen growth and change in children that comes directly from the tireless efforts of these professionals. The encouragement, support, and consistency they provide can transform a child’s experience in profound ways. These achievements may go unrecognized publicly, but anyone paying attention can see the impact.
I’ve worked closely with teachers, staff, and families to help navigate these challenges. I understand the stress, exhaustion, and concern that can come from supporting a child who struggles with regulation. My goal as a therapist is to create a space where we can discuss challenges faced, help you reflect on those unique challenges, and provide a space to help you heal.
⚠️ Some signs that you might be experiencing burnout:
- Emotional exhaustion: becoming easily frustrated, feeling numb, being completely overwhelmed or dreading the next moment.
- Physical exhaustion: feeling fatigued easily, headaches, muscle tension, trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or feeling rundown.
- Behavioral shifts: less patient, struggling with problem-solving, task avoidance, or feeling stuck or hopeless.
✅ What helps?
- Take small breaks. Take a moment to slowly take a breath, unclench your jaw, relax your shoulders and stretch.
- Reach out to others, don’t try to do this work alone. Share what feels heavy, reach out for support.
- Create predictable routines with clear boundaries. Plan ahead for how you will respond in those moments and know what your role will be. Know what you are in control of and what you are not.
- Reconnect with your why. Sometimes feeling burnt-out makes us forget the meaning of our work. Take some time to reconnect with why you do this work. Take time to reflect on small moments of connection and look for the small wins.
- Let go of the “SHOULDS” and reframe it to “COULD.” Sometimes we get stuck in feeling things should be a certain way which puts a lot of pressure on us to make it so. If we reframe should to could then we can see that there is choice and that it is okay if things don’t always go as planned.
Supporting children and youth through dysregulation is demanding work. Feeling burnt-out doesn’t mean that you’ve failed. It means that you care. Take some time to pay attention to your own body’s needs. Take time to rest and recharge. Being at your best, helps them be at theirs!