A Teacher's Hierarchy of Needs

I have spent a lot of time blogging about self care lately.  I suppose it is top of mind for me, as I know how stressful this upcoming school year is going to be.  Teaching, by nature, is normally stressful but this year teachers will have heightened and unprecedented amounts of stress placed on us.

We must give ourselves permission to do a mental self-check to make sure that we are doing alright. I loved the analogy the Distance Learning Playbook illustrated.  If we are on an airplane and it begins to go down without warning, we must first place an oxygen mask on ourselves before we attend to others.  This same analogy applies to this school year.  We have to make sure our oxygen mask is properly fitted to us, before we can help anyone else. 

Doing a self-check to see how we you are doing mentally is a great way to stay emotionally aware and in check.  A great tool to check in with yourself is Maslow's hierarchy of needs pyramid.  Maslow ordered human needs--starting with the most basic needs of humans (food, water, sleep) and progressing to deeper needs (do I feel connected to something greater than me?) In order to be able to get to the top (a healthier mental state), we must satisfy the needs in the previous steps of the pyramid.  If we, or students, are stuck on the lower steps our behavior can be impacted and we are not functioning at our best potential.     

On each level in Maslow's hierarchy ask yourself the reflective question to see if your needs are being met.  If you are unable to answer yes to the question, try some of the tips suggested. 

Level 1-- Physiological (Basic Needs)

These are your most basic necessities such as being fed, getting enough sleep and living in a safe environment.  

Reflection question: Are my basic needs met?

Tips: Drink more water to stay hydrated.  Try a meal delivery service.  Go for a walk outside or garden.  Set a specific bedtime and don't drink caffeine six hours before bed.  Remove electronics from the bedroom.    

Level 2-Safety and Protection needs

This stage is about safety--in a physical and material sense.  Do you feel secure with your finances, health and safety?

Reflection question: Do I feel safe?

Tips: Record your worries and fears in a journal.  Listen to calming music.  Talk to a banker or financial advisor.  Create a safety plan.  Try a meditation app.  Schedule a doctor's appointment.  Identify areas that lack order and develop a plan to organize them. 

Level 3--Love and social being

This stage is all about relationships.  First we must have a positive relationship with ourselves.  We must first accept who we are, however human nature is to search for other's support so we can create the best version of ourselves.  With this stage we need to have positive and healthy relationships, be it friends, family or colleagues.   Love, affection and acceptance are imperative to give us a sense of belonging. 

Reflection question: Do I feel like I belong?

Tips: Be present in the moment when you are with friends and family.  Put away your cell phone while having conversations.  Stay connected with colleagues by going to events you are invited to.  Give yourself permission to let go of toxic relationships.  Hide negative people on social media. 

Level 4--Esteem

This stage refers to desire to have esteem for oneself (feeling of achievement, mastery, dignity) and the desire to have respect from others (status, prestige, etc.)

Reflection question: Do I feel confident?

Tips: Recite self affirmations.  Tame and re frame it (look for the positive in something that could otherwise be seen as negative).  Make sure the goals you have set for yourself are realalisitc.  Check your thoughts--are they based off assumption or reality? 

Level 5--Self Actualization

This stage is the realization of a person's potential and peak experiences.  At this stage, one will desire to accomplish everything they can and become the most that one can be. Each person will have a different focus and goal. One may want to be an ideal parent while another may want to excel as a professional athlete.

Reflection question: Am I living my best life?

Tips:  Choose work that you love.  Know yourself and identify when your needs aren't being met.  Find the best time to get things done. 

Level 6--Transcendence 

This stage is being able to overcome the limits of yourself.  It is the idea that you have completely explored your own potential, and you are now focused on something that is bigger than you. 

Reflection question: Do I feel connected to something greater than myself? 

Tips: Write a thank you note.  Keep a gratitude journal.  Seek inspiration in books, movies, art, scripture, quotes, etc.   Share what you are grateful for.  

If you are interested in a deeper dive into Maslow's hierarchy of needs, I suggest the book Take Time For You by Tina H. Boogren, PhD.  Tina is a former classroom teacher, English department chair, instructional coach, professional developer, athletic coach, author and building level leader.  She wrote this book to provide teachers resources, strategies, self care surveys and reflective questions to guide them on a clear path to well being. 

Also, I have created a free reflection tool for teachers.  This resource includes guiding questions for each stage of Maslow's hierarchy, tips for each stage and a reflection graphic organizer. Click the image below to take you to TPT where the product can be downloaded for free.  This would be a great resource to provide teachers with during this back to school season, or several months/weeks into the school year. 

Furthermore, if you want to know about Maslow's needs and how it relates to students during this Covid crisis,  check out the recent article from ASCD titled Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and the Covid Crisis .

As always, if life gets to be too much and you begin to experience overwhelming anxiety, sadness or stress please seek professional help.  

Stay safe and healthy!