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Empowering STEM Educators: Harnessing Emotion Regulation for Success

Empowering STEM Educators: Harnessing Emotion Regulation for Success

Introduction

In the high-stakes world of STEM education, teachers often face unique emotional challenges. The pressure to achieve high academic standards, coupled with the inherent complexities of STEM subjects, can lead to significant stress and burnout. Recent research highlights the critical role of emotion regulation in shaping both teacher well-being and student outcomes. The study "Using Reappraisal to Improve Outcomes for STEM Teachers and Students" introduces the STEM-Model of EmotioN regulation: Teachers’ Opportunities and Responsibilities (STEM-MENTOR), offering a framework to enhance emotion regulation skills among educators.

The Emotional Landscape of STEM Teaching

STEM teachers are particularly susceptible to stress due to the demanding nature of their subjects and the high expectations placed upon them. The STEM-MENTOR framework identifies key contextual factors that influence teachers' emotional states, such as cultural norms, educational reforms, and teacher-student interactions. These factors can exacerbate negative emotions, leading to emotion dysregulation and impaired teaching effectiveness.

Emotion Regulation Strategies: Reappraisal vs. Suppression

Emotion regulation is a vital skill for educators, influencing their ability to manage stress and maintain a positive classroom environment. Two primary strategies are cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. Reappraisal involves reinterpreting a situation to alter its emotional impact, while suppression focuses on concealing emotional expressions. Research indicates that reappraisal is generally more effective, reducing negative affect and promoting adaptive behaviors.

Implementing the STEM-MENTOR Framework

The STEM-MENTOR framework provides a structured approach to enhancing emotion regulation among STEM teachers. By focusing on cognitive-emotional processes, the framework aims to improve teachers' emotional trajectory, ultimately benefiting both educators and students. Key components include:

Benefits for Teachers and Students

Implementing emotion regulation strategies through the STEM-MENTOR framework can lead to significant improvements in teacher motivation, well-being, and teaching effectiveness. By modeling effective emotion regulation, teachers can positively influence their students' emotional and academic outcomes. This creates a virtuous cycle where improved teacher well-being enhances student engagement and learning, further reducing teacher stress.

Conclusion

Emotion regulation is a powerful tool for transforming the educational experience in STEM classrooms. By adopting the STEM-MENTOR framework, educators can create more supportive and effective learning environments. This not only benefits teachers' professional lives but also fosters a positive impact on students' academic achievements and emotional development.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Using Reappraisal to Improve Outcomes for STEM Teachers and Students.


Citation: Daches Cohen, L., Gross, J. J., & Rubinsten, O. (2023). Using reappraisal to improve outcomes for STEM teachers and students. Journal of Cognition, 6(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.5334/joc.313
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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