case studies
stresses of teaching can take their toll
Olivia, 27, has been working as a teacher at a secondary school for just over two years.
Olivia teaches a variety of pupils with different abilities and, at the end of a long day trying to control a group of more than 30 rowdy teenagers, is often left feeling tired, tearful and seriously stressed out.
“There are some days when my pupils really play up and I feel as though my job is nothing more than crowd control. I know that many of my friends envy teachers and our long summer holidays but I don’t think they realise the exceptionally long days, hard work and commitment that we put in throughout the year.”
It is not unusual for Olivia to spend her evenings wading through mountains of paperwork, marking books and preparing lessons for the next day. This can sometimes continue late into the evening.
Olivia continues: “I aim to be at school for 7am so that I have time to collect my thoughts and prepare for the day before my pupils arrive. Very often, it’s so busy that I go all day without anything to eat or drink and, although I finish at 3.30pm, I am often working until 10pm or 11pm at night.
“I love my job, but at times I really feel the pressure. When I first started teaching, I suffered from bad migraines. After visiting the doctor, he confirmed that it could be stress-related. I haven’t done anything further, or spoken to anyone about how I feel, because I don’t want my colleagues to think that I can’t cope.
“I suppose this is just the reality of modern life.”
