Date Published: May 8, 2025
The start of a new school year brings a mix of excitement, anticipation and — for many teachers — stress. After the relative calm of the holidays, jumping back into a busy routine filled with new students, lesson planning, and pastoral care can feel overwhelming. With growing awareness around mental health in education, it’s more important than ever to consider not only student wellbeing, but also that of teachers themselves.
Educators play a vital role in supporting students’ social-emotional learning (SEL), but to do this effectively, they must first look after their own wellbeing. Prioritising mental health is not a luxury — it’s essential for sustainable, effective teaching. One of the best ways to manage back-to-school anxiety is by using classroom management strategies that reduce stress, improve behaviour and foster a calm, positive learning environment.
In this blog, we’ll explore practical, evidence-based mental health tips for educators returning to school, with a particular focus on how classroom management can support both teacher and student wellbeing.
1. Start with Self-Awareness and Boundaries
The foundation of good mental health for any teacher begins with self-awareness. Recognising your own stress triggers, energy levels, and emotional needs can help you set realistic expectations as the term begins.
- Reflect on your personal boundaries: What are your limits in terms of working hours, communication outside school, or taking on extra responsibilities?
- Be intentional with your time: Set clear working hours for marking, emails and planning. Respect these boundaries as you would expect others to.
Strong boundaries allow you to preserve energy and maintain a healthy work-life balance — both of which are crucial during the early weeks of term when demands are high.
2. Prepare Your Physical and Digital Classroom Early
Feeling prepared can significantly reduce anxiety. Use the days leading up to the start of term to get your classroom — both physical and digital — ready for learning. A tidy, welcoming space creates a positive first impression and supports behaviour management by giving students clear cues about the kind of environment they’re entering.
- Create visible routines: Display class rules, timetables, and expectations.
- Organise resources: Ensure all necessary materials are labelled and accessible.
- Set up digital platforms: Prepare your virtual classroom tools (e.g. Google Classroom or Satchel One) and ensure students know how to use them.
Preparation not only improves the flow of your first few weeks but helps you project calm confidence — something students will respond to and mirror.
3. Build Relationships Before Routines
Although it’s tempting to dive into content straight away, prioritising relationship-building in the first few weeks pays off in the long run. Strong teacher-student relationships are associated with better academic performance, improved behaviour, and lower levels of stress — for both parties.
- Learn students’ names quickly and correctly.
- Use check-ins or ‘getting to know you’ activities to understand interests and concerns.
- Make time for informal conversation, especially with quieter students.
When students feel seen and heard, they are more likely to follow rules, engage in lessons and support classroom harmony. This makes classroom management much smoother — and lowers emotional strain for teachers.
4. Establish Predictable, Supportive Routines
Consistency is key to effective classroom management — and it also contributes significantly to both student and teacher mental health. Clear routines provide structure and help students feel safe and in control, which reduces anxiety and behavioural issues.
- Use a consistent format to begin and end lessons (e.g. starter activity and reflective close).
- Set clear expectations for how students enter the room, participate in discussions, and request help.
- Reinforce routines with praise and gentle correction, rather than relying on reactive discipline.
Predictable routines reduce your cognitive load, allowing you to focus more on teaching and less on classroom control. Over time, this contributes to lower stress and a more positive teaching experience.
5. Integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into Lessons
Social-emotional learning isn’t a ‘nice to have’ — it’s essential. It supports student wellbeing, resilience, empathy, and self-regulation. For teachers, it offers a way to reduce behaviour problems and strengthen classroom culture.
- Embed SEL into existing curriculum content through group activities, discussions, and reflective writing.
- Model emotional regulation: Name your feelings and share coping strategies when appropriate.
- Create opportunities for student voice, choice, and autonomy within lessons.
When SEL becomes part of the daily routine, students are more likely to manage their emotions, resolve conflict calmly, and support their peers — all of which contributes to a healthier classroom environment.
6. Practice Self-Compassion, Not Perfectionism
New teachers and seasoned professionals alike often fall into the trap of perfectionism, especially at the start of term. Wanting to ‘get it right’ is natural, but chasing perfection can lead to burnout.
- Accept that not everything will go to plan — and that’s okay.
- Celebrate small wins each day: a lesson that went well, a student who smiled, a moment of clarity in your own teaching.
- Remember that good teaching is a process of learning, not a performance.
Self-compassion builds emotional resilience and creates space for growth, reflection, and improved mental health.
7. Make Time for Mental Health Breaks
Back-to-back lessons, endless emails, and playground duty can leave little room for rest. But short, intentional breaks throughout the day can help you reset and maintain focus.
- Step outside during lunch for fresh air, even if just for five minutes.
- Avoid working through your breaks — use the time to recharge, not just to catch up.
- Incorporate movement: A quick walk, stretch or even a few deep breaths can lower stress.
These moments of pause support your nervous system and make it easier to respond to challenges calmly and constructively.
8. Seek Support Early and Often
Teaching can sometimes feel isolating — especially when classroom challenges arise. Don’t wait until things feel unmanageable to reach out.
- Connect with a trusted colleague or mentor to share concerns or seek advice.
- Familiarise yourself with your school’s mental health support options, such as EAPs or wellbeing policies.
- Use professional communities, webinars, or networks for inspiration and emotional support.
Support systems help normalise the challenges of teaching and provide practical strategies to lighten the emotional load.
Final Thoughts
The start of the school year is a chance to reset, reflect, and build positive habits — both in your teaching and in your self-care. By prioritising your own mental health and using classroom management strategies that foster calm and connection, you create a better learning environment for students and a more sustainable work experience for yourself.
Remember: your wellbeing is not separate from your role as an educator. In fact, it’s one of the most powerful tools you bring to the classroom.
Author: Hope Marvin
