CREATING CAPELESS HEROES: BOOSTING TEACHERS' SUPERPOWER OF RESILIENCY

GINA FE C. SORIANO

Those that put in a lot of effort and pick themselves up after falling often emerge victorious, rather than those who are naturally gifted. A person who consistently gets back up is difficult to defeat!

The superpower we acquire, known as resilience, arises from our ability to accept life's setbacks, mistakes, and even traumatic experiences as opportunities for personal development. Every time we stumble and get back up, we have resilience. Resilience is demonstrated when we see our difficulties as transient, as an opportunity to learn, or as a roadmap to finding a different path. When we endure trauma and acknowledge our suffering without allowing it to define who we are, we exhibit resilience.

It's like being a superhero, to put it simply. Resilience is about overcoming adversity and not letting it get to you too much, just as superheroes may overcome great obstacles and still rise above the others. It is comparable to possessing a sturdy shield or armor that keeps you powerful throughout difficult times. It's about finding methods to handle issues and feel better even when things don't go as planned, being bold, and maintaining an optimistic attitude.

We educators have witnessed it all. preschoolers who, when faced with a difficult task, cry and give up. Children in elementary school who, with large, concerned eyes, look up at you in need of continual confirmation that they are "doing it right." High school students who utilize all of their imagination to come up with new methods to disrupt your lecture, then admit in private that they are so far behind they don't even know where to start. Middle school students who act like they don't care anymore by saying, "I hate Math anyway." Of course, there are the adults: exhausted coworkers, and overly protective parents who worry their child won't be "successful". There are also numerous difficulties involved in using modern technological platforms to mimic a typical school day, some of which are beyond a teacher's control.

To relieve stress, try these quick and easy ways for boosting teacher resilience:

Sing a tune. Sing along to a powerful, upbeat song when you're traveling to school or during your morning shower. This method works because it forces you to breathe deeply, which is energetic and has been shown to have great effects when paired with music.

Jot down a thankful thought or statement. If you're feeling particularly lucky, it can be more than one item. But it's enough to have one. This is something you can accomplish at any time of day. Just make sure you do it daily.

We are aware that stress and a hint of burnout are not the same as depression. It is common for educators to struggle with depression, so please get help as soon as you suspect something is wrong with your mental health.

Teachers may and should think about what inspires their devotion, enthusiasm, and bravery both within and outside of the classroom, in light of the challenges of teaching, the vulnerability of our students, and their potential. I strongly recommend that resilience become a superpower for all educators!

-oOoThe author is Teacher III at Sta. Maria Elementary School, Balibago, Angeles City