Recharging Middle School Students and Staff Burnout Preventions For Middle School Students For Staff

Student Burnout…The Cause Lucrative studies and research now show that students at all levels of their educational careers suffer burnout! The fast pace of growing up, the extreme demands to achieve set upon goals and perceived successes are primary causes of middle school student distress resulting in burnout. More and more middle school students are engaging in binge drinking and other self destructive behaviors to cope with the increasing demands to achieve academic and personal successes.

Student Burnout…The Effect What’s the Fallout ? Missing their youth entirely and never living in the present has become the attitude of many. Even the most successful students are stepping back and wondering if it’s worth it….having a direct negative impact on their academic studies and achievements.

Staff Burnout...The What? Recent studies show that middle school teachers and program staff, particularly working with urban youth suffer with burnout that manifest into emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Gender does not differ the degree of teacher and staff burnout Most effected are 1 st year and 6 th -10 th year teaching staff

Staff Burnout…The Why? Causes and Effects… Challenging student behavior and lack of respect Lack of social and emotional support from principals and supervisors Lack of peer support All leading to increased emotional exhaustions

Recharge: Preventions of Student and Staff Burnout For Students Take time out: a brief structured or unstructured time to reset academic goals and personal pursuits Use down times such as vacations and weekends to recharge For Staff Step back and reflect to regain personal values and goals Regain needed life experiences separate and independent of other pressures and expectation

Recharge: Preventions of Student and Staff Burnout For Students Use school breaks to seek job or volunteer opportunities, to meet others from different backgrounds, life experiences to help refocus on future possibilities For Staff Recharge your attitude about why you chose to work with youth: avoid faculty lounge talk, backbiting and school politics that perpetuate a negative attitude

Recharge: Preventions of Student and Staff Burnout For Students Look forward to your high school experience; the choices and selections of academics and activities to meet your needs and interest For Staff Keep a positive attitude about your kids, their capabilities and potential Don’t loose focus of why you are here: you have the opportunity, literally to save lives

Recharge: Preventions of Student and Staff Burnout For Students Advise the adults of your suggestions to help you face your academic challenges and your needs to take a pause to prevent student burnout For Staff Don’t focus on the bad behavior of students: don’t let that be the dominant voice in your head Establish the peer support needed to prevent emotional exhaustion

Recharge: Preventions of Student and Staff Burnout For Students Get involved in peer to peer support activities: youth leadership opportunities, mentor programs and recreational outlets that reflect your interest and that will be adventurous For Staff Make Staff Meetings regular and during program time opposed to after work: bring in volunteers to cover program Use staff meeting to build and strengthen practical, social and peer support

Recharge: Preventions of Student and Staff Burnout For Students Remember that your are in control of your FUTURE! NO FUTURE LEFT BEHIND: A Middle school student presentation: Google it: www. You Tube For Staff Attend regularly, conferences and trainings to network with others in the field, to gain new and refreshing ideas and to RECHARGE!

What can Your After school Program Do?…. After school Programs can and should help middle school students prevent burnout and recharge. Use the Youth Development approach to programming; utilizing the 5 supports and opportunities (Safety ^ Relationship Building ^ Meaningful Youth Participation ^ Community Involvement ^ Skill Building

What can Your After school Program Do?…. Connect the 40 Developmental Assets to student performance expectations and academic goals Provide enriching opportunities through community involvement, leadership, academic careers and workforce development that supports the talents and interest of your middle school student.

What can Your After school Program Do?…. After school Programs must also recharge staff and prevent burnout. Promote Peer to Peer support through it’s staff development plans Provide leadership experiences and development opportunities reflective of staff interest Make program and staff development continuous and ongoing through training and conference opportunities.

References: Research and Articles Harvard University Studies and articles on Student and Staff Burnout Google: preventing middle school student burnout TASC (The Afterschool Corporation) Improving the quality of after school programs for students in public schools

References: Research and Articles Journeys in Learning Beyond the Classroom: Take Time out for Burnout for the next generations Harvard: The Crimson Report May 2000: Practice of time out for students results in 97 percent graduate rate Google: preventing middle school student burnout

Resources Youth Development Network (YDN) A Framework for Youth Development After school support and opportunities Gallup Research Student Engagement You Tube Video-Middle school students No Future Left Behind-a middle school presentation