The Teacher's Ultimate Stress Mastery Guide: 77 Proven Prescriptions to Build Your Resilience

by Jack N. Singer (Editor)

Overview

"With all of the pressures and stress that today′s teachers face, it is nice to finally have a publication that is willing to acknowledge this stress and help us combat it. This book is full of practical tips, hints, and advice that can bring out the relaxed, effective teacher in all of us."
—Rachel Hanson, Eighth-Grade Gifted Language Arts Teacher
South Forsyth Middle School, Cumming, GA

Manage your stress levels before they start managing you!

Why do some teachers thrive under pressure while others quit? What kinds of skills can empower teachers to effectively deal with the challenges they face both in and out of school?

The Teacher′s Ultimate Stress Mastery Guide shows teachers how to build resilience and emotional strength to prevent stress and/or burnout and the negative emotions that may result. Rich with examples, easy-to-understand concepts, and simple behavioral tips, this book covers how stress affects your health, how proactively boost your psychological immunity, and how to maintain your optimism and teaching effectiveness. In an easygoing and witty voice, Jack Singer presents:

• Action plans for mastering the different types of stress in your life
• Success stories and experiences from teachers who have conquered stress
• Strategies and examples based on cognitive and resiliency theories used by psychologists and counselors

Don′t let the challenges of the job weigh you down! This blueprint for success can help you achieve personal and professional goals, tackle daily challenges, and reignite your passion for teaching.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452273525
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	11/05/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	200
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Learn more about Jack Singer′s PD offerings


Jack Singer has maintained a private practice for 33 years and treated hundreds of teachers and administrators. He has also taught in the psychology departments of seven universities, including an assistant professorship at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

For the last 17 years, Singer has been a proud member of the National Speakers Association and he has been invited to provide keynote speeches, workshops, and training seminars for schools, educational associations, other national associations, and Fortune 1000 corporations from Miami to Malaysia. His 1975 doctoral dissertation, entitled, “Job Strain as a Function of Job and Life Stresses,” was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service. Accordingly, for more than 30 years, Singer has continued to develop and consult with Fortune 1000 companies and school systems with his expertise in the area of job-related stress. He is recognized around the U.S. for his innovative work on eliminating stressors in the busy workplace and he appears frequently on CNN, MSNBC, the Glen Beck Show, and radio talk shows throughout the U.S. and Canada. His articles appear frequently in business, human resources, psychology, and sports periodicals, and his stress prevention and mastery programs have been featured in USA-TODAY.

Singer has a PhD in industrial/organizational psychology and a post-doctorate in clinical psychology. He has been honored with diplomates from the American Academy of Behavioral Medicine, the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, the Society of Criminal and Police Psychology, and the National Institute of Sports, Division of Psychologists.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Part I. Understanding the Real Causes of Your Stress
1. How Stress Can Kick the Health Out of You
Learning Objectives
Tales of a Saber-Toothed Tiger
The Incredible Mind-Body Connection
Some Stress Is Actually Good for You
Action Plan for Stress Mastery
References
2. How Life Events and Changes Can Impact Stress and Illness
Learning Objectives
Your Recent Life Changes Score and Its Interpretations
The Life Event Stressors Inherent in Teaching
Action Plan for Stress Mastery
References
3. How to Recognize the Real Culprit: Your Internal Critic
Learning Objectives
The Origins of Our Belief Systems
Our Self-Talk and Our Emotions
Expose and Dispose of Your Internal Critic
Action Plan for Stress Mastery
References
4. How to Thrive Despite Being Genetically Wired With Stress-Prone Personality Traits
Learning Objectives
Two Personality Types That Promote Stress
You Can Start Modifying Some of Your Type-A Behaviors Today!
You Can Start Modifying Some of Your People-Pleasing Behaviors Today!
Action Plan for Stress Mastery
References
5. How to Deflect Stressors: Both Carefully Planned Plus Warp-Speed Techniques
Learning Objectives
Recognize Your Thinking Patterns
The Thinking Pattern Worksheet (TPW)
A Thought-Stopping Technique
A Calming-Breathing Technique
Write-It-Down Technique
Worry-Time Technique
Make a Contrac With Yourself
Action Plan for Stress Mastery
References
Part II. Prescriptions for Building Your Psychological Immunity to Stress
6. How to Harness the Power Within and Inoculate Yourself Against the Impact of Inevitable Stressors
Learning Objectives
How to Begin the Inoculation Process
How to Build Resilience to Stress: The Three Cs of Stress Hardiness
How to Build a Sense of Self-Efficacy
How to Use the Power of Goal Setting to Stay Focused Despite Stress Provocations
The Power of Desire, Imagination, and Expectation
How to Use the Power of Positive Affirmations to Develop the Three Cs and Accomplish Your Goals
Action Plan for Stress Mastery
References
7. How Fun and Laughter Can Inoculate You: Jest for the Health of It!
Learning Objectives
The Legacy of Norman Cousins
The Legacy of My Dad, Bill Singer
What Do You Really Get Out of Laughing?
Today’s Upsets are Tomorrow’s Laughs
Lighten Up Your Classroom
Lighten Up Both Your School and Your Life
Action Plan for Stress Mastery
References
8. How to Become and Remain a Resilient Person
Learning Objectives
Learning to Become Optimistic
How to Bring More Joy and Happiness Into Your Life
More Behavioral Prescriptions to Build Resiliency
Action Plan for Stress Mastery
References
Resource A. Glossary of Acronyms
Resource B. 77 Behavioral Prescriptions to Master Stress and Build Your Resilience
Resource C. A Deep-Muscle Relaxation Technique
Resource D. Web Sites Resources on Classroom Management
Index

Editorial Reviews

"Each chapter is loaded with stories, powerful research, and examples; the sum of the book when read completely and integrated into one's day to day actions is life changing! Every beginning teacher, veteran teacher, and administrator should read this book. It will have a direct and positive impact on school culture and student success! "

Jennifer Ramamoorthi

"Your stress is not going away. Read this book NOW! It might not just be a life changer, it might even be even a life saver. "

Beth Madison

"Prescribes countless methods to manage stress, thereby helping readers to manage, prevent, and even cure negative stress. "

Emmalee Callaway

"The author empowers readers to change their attitude so they can reach the maximum altitude. "

David Callaway

"Allows the reader the opportunity to be self-reflective and examine new and unique ways to eliminate or diminish the stressors in his/her life. "

Cathy Patterson

"This book provides several prescriptions for reducing a teacher’s stress level. The anecdotes are smart and humorous. I enjoyed reading this book and 'de-stressing' my life. "

Diane Callahan

"Provides an entertaining, practical, and relevant guide to dealing with stress in the classroom and life. It is a prescription for everyone to lead a healthier, happier life. "

Toni Callahan

"We all feel trapped and somewhat alone in our negative thoughts and fears to some extent. This book provides easily applied remedies to regain our mental peace and to carry on knowing that we can function effectively in the face of stress. I would not only recommend this book, I will carry a copy with me when I do staff development meeting in various school districts. "

Rita J. Corbett

"With all of the pressures and stress that today's teachers face, it is nice to finally have a publication that is willing to acknowledge this stress and help us combat it. This book is full of practical tips, hints, and advice that can bring out the relaxed, effective teacher in all of us. "

Rachel Hanson