This month we take a sideways step in my series about emotional trauma and its impact in schools.  We will look at the effect on teaching; the adults in schools will have had longer lives to have potentially experienced more emotionally traumatic events, and being an adult, does not make it any easier to cope with. 

The burden of pre-existing or historical emotional trauma can contribute to feelings of intense stress and fatigue, resulting in teacher burnout and making it challenging for them to sustain their energy and passion for teaching. Burnout among teachers is a prevalent problem caused by excessive levels of stress and trauma. A teacher experiencing burnout may feel weighed down, exhausted, and lose their enthusiasm for teaching. Furthermore, the current financial situation and the resulting teacher strikes can further amplify the stress they are facing. 

The National Federation for Educational Research found that teachers endure greater job-related stress than other professions due to impossible workloads, endless accountability, poor salary and reward systems, and a negative organisational culture. 

Trauma can have a significant impact on a teacher's ability to effectively perform their job and connect with their students. When a teacher is struggling with the effects of trauma, it can be difficult for them to focus on their teaching responsibilities, leading to a decline in their overall effectiveness. This can have a detrimental impact on the education and well-being of their students, as well as the teacher's own sense of fulfilment and success in their role. 

Trauma can impact a teacher's ability to regulate their emotions, making it a challenge for them to effectively manage their own feelings and provide emotional support for their students. It's important to remember that seeking help and resources is a sign of strength, and can lead to improved well-being and success in the classroom. 

Trauma can have a significant impact on a teacher's ability to form trusting relationships with those they interact with in their professional environment, including pupils, colleagues, parents and management teams. Building trust is an integral aspect of successful teaching and creating a positive classroom atmosphere, and trauma can make this more challenging. It's important for teachers to be aware of the effects trauma can have and seek support to help them overcome these difficulties, so they can foster strong, trusting relationships in their professional life. 

Experiencing trauma can make it difficult for a teacher to effectively handle students who exhibit challenging behaviours, causing feelings of frustration and doubt in their abilities. This can be a hindrance to creating a positive learning environment and fulfilling their role as an educator. It's essential for teachers to understand the impact that trauma can have on their professional life and seek support to build their resilience and confidence in managing challenging student behaviour. 

Providing teachers with the opportunity to process emotional trauma, acknowledge their feelings, and understand that they have overcome challenges can boost their confidence. Recognising that they are deserving of support not only in their own eyes, but also in the eyes of their colleagues, enhances their self-esteem and sense of belonging. This can relieve some of the burden they carry and allow them to focus more fully on the present moment. 

Trauma can also have physical symptoms that can impact a teacher's well-being and effectiveness. This can include headaches, fatigue, and stomach aches, which can make it difficult for them to carry out their daily responsibilities, including teaching. This can create a vicious cycle, as the physical symptoms can exacerbate the stress and difficulties they already face, making it even harder to manage their responsibilities.