The two teachers highlighted the need for preparation and repetition. Educators ought to reach out to their colleagues who have successfully completed the challenges that they’re about to tackle. What’s more, it’s often a good idea to do one or more test runs before going on the school trip to familiarize yourself with the location, the atmosphere, the potential problems that might pop up. This way, you can avoid some serious complications, like leaving someone behind at a train station or picking a path that goes far too close to not-so-friendly dogs.
But of course, no matter how well you plan something, things tend to fall apart once you actually start going. One of the most essential skills for a teacher to have is to maintain their composure when everything’s falling apart; you’ve got to resist the urge to panic because you’re the one in charge. The kids look up to you to set an example.
“‘Box breathing’ is our ‘go-to’ method if we are stressed and want to calm down. Box breathing is a practice where you breathe in for 4 seconds, hold breath for 4 seconds, breathe out for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds and repeat until your heart rate slows down," Tom and Jack shared a method of calming down with Bored Panda.
The two teachers also pointed out that in the rush to get everything ready, educators can completely forget to take care of themselves. You have to remember to focus on the basics first, like getting enough sleep, remembering to pack a lunch for yourself, and taking time off to unwind after stressful stretches of work. Though, Tom and Jack said, even that won’t prepare you for a cloud of bees suddenly descending on you. If you hear buzzing, tell everyone to run!
