Teachers' DEN (Deaf Educators' Network)

School has started and you’ve probably spent the majority of the first weeks of school meeting your students, providing staff trainings, having conferences and setting up equipment. You may even feel like you are meeting yourself coming and going! Now, it’s well into the school year and you are ready to learn some tips and tricks to gain the best outcomes for your deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) students. One of the primary ways for you, as a teacher of the deaf or hard of hearing, to assist your students to meet their maximum potential is for you to be at your best. Here are some simple tips to help you be the best you!

Setting realistic expectations
Many of our Indiana DHH teachers are itinerate. The first step is to focus on each student and accomplish what the student needs to happen next rather than think about all of the things that may be out of your control. Engaging in person-centered-planning practices helps with this tip.

Increasing your efficacy
Since Indiana is a rural state, you, as a DHH teacher may feel alone and ineffective. Having confidence in yourself is a means of reducing stress. Believe in yourself and the impact you are effecting on your students. Observing and documenting your students’ growth and progress may also help you to realize your potential and increase your efficacy as well.

Maintaining a balance between your professional and personal life
This is perhaps the most important step to managing stress. Often it is seen that special educators (spEd teachers, SLPs. DHH teachers, OTs, PTs, school psychologists, etc.) carry their work-life stress back home. Thinking about the needs a student has, a particular student in an unfortunate circumstance, that child you just cannot seem to reach, the parent with a grievance, and the mounds of paperwork and emails awaiting you, can tempt you to put in long work hours, bring work home, or if you do put work down, have your mind spinning about work when you should be watching your family member’s performance or game with rapt attention. In this case, mental homework is necessary to bring about a home/life balance. DHH teachers (and other individuals in special education) have big hearts and want the best for the students they serve. Just remember, leaving time for yourself allows you to give more to your students. Additionally, the moments that you have to be fully present for your family members are fleeting and those are the moments you and they will remember.

Analyze Your Potential
Managing stress is not always as tough as it seems to be. DHH teachers must analyze their present situation and work on it to reduce stress levels and live life to the fullest. This is only possible if you have analyzed your potential well. Be practical about what you know/can do and seek help when needed. Be sure to take advantage of peer groups to gain insight and information such as the joining DHH list serve and consulting with the Center, which is here as your Indiana Resource Network. If you have a workload that is not manageable, ask peers how they may have addressed the situation with their administration and gained assistance. Consider what you may have on your list of responsibilities now that could be completed by an aide or support staff member. DHH teachers are a precious commodity, and our Indiana DHH students need you at your best!