Last Tuesday, I walked into my classroom with my coffee mug (the one that says "I Survived Another Year"), took one look at my FAST testing schedule taped to my computer, and felt my chest tighten. Twenty-two years of teaching, and I still get that knot in my stomach when testing season rolls around.

But here's the thing that hit me as I watched little Sofia organize her pencils for the third time in five minutes. She was mirroring my energy. When we're stressed, they're stressed. When we're calm, they can breathe too.

The Truth About Teacher Stress During Testing

Let's be honest, hermanas. We all feel it. The pressure from admin, the worry about our kids' scores, the endless data meetings looming ahead. Add Florida's lovely humidity and the fact that we're trying to keep 25 nine-year-olds focused when all they want to do is talk about their weekend plans, and we're basically walking stress balls.

I used to think I was hiding it well. Pero my students knew. Kids are like little emotional detectives. They pick up on everything.

What Stress Looks Like in Our Classrooms

Last month, during a practice session, I noticed Marcus (not my son, my student Marcus) had started biting his nails down to nothing. Emma was asking to go to the bathroom every ten minutes. And sweet little Diego, who usually bounces into class with a smile, was dragging his feet and looking like someone stole his lunch money.

That's when it clicked. They weren't just nervous about the test. They were absorbing all the anxious energy swirling around the school like a Florida thunderstorm.

My Go-To Strategies for Staying Centered

Start Your Day Before They Do

I get to school fifteen minutes earlier now, not to prep more materials (though let's be real, there's always more to prep), but to sit in my classroom and breathe. Just breathe.

I make my coffee, look out the window at the palm trees, and remind myself that these kids are so much more than any test score. It sounds simple, but it works.

Create Calm Rituals Together

We start each morning with what I call our "Ready, Set, Learn" routine. Nothing fancy. We do some deep breathing, I play soft music for two minutes, and we set one intention for the day.

Yesterday, Aiden's intention was "to remember that mistakes help my brain grow." Mine was "to speak slowly and smile more." We both nailed it.

Use Your Tools Wisely

When I get overwhelmed looking at data and trying to figure out what each kid needs, I remind myself that I don't have to do it all manually. I've been using FastIXL to quickly match my students' FAST scores to specific practice skills, and honestly, it's one less thing to stress about when my plate is already full.

The point is, we don't have to reinvent the wheel every time we feel overwhelmed.

Quick Stress-Busters That Actually Work

The Two-Minute Reset

When I feel my shoulders creeping up toward my ears (you know the feeling), I excuse myself for a bathroom break. Two minutes of cold water on my wrists, some deep breaths, and a quick pep talk in the mirror. "You've got this, Maria. These kids need your calm energy."

The Honesty Approach

Sometimes I just tell my kids, "Friends, Mrs. Santos is feeling a little worried today about making sure you're all ready for your test. Can we help each other stay calm?"

They always say yes. And then they start helping each other too. It's beautiful.

Movement Breaks

Every hour, we do something physical. Jumping jacks, stretching, or my personal favorite, the "shake it off" dance where we literally shake our hands, feet, and wiggle our whole bodies. Ay, dios mio, it looks ridiculous, but it works.

When the Stress Hits Mid-Lesson

Last week, right in the middle of explaining a math problem, I completely blanked. Just... nothing. The kids stared at me, I stared at the board, and for a hot second, I wanted to crawl under my desk.

Instead, I laughed. "Well, that's embarrassing. My brain just took a little vacation. Can anyone help me remember what we were talking about?"

Three hands shot up immediately. We figured it out together, and you know what? That lesson ended up being more engaging than if I'd done it perfectly.

Building Their Stress-Management Toolkit

Teach Them the Signs

We talk openly about what stress feels like. Butterflies in your stomach, sweaty palms, racing thoughts. I normalize it by sharing my own experiences. "When I was your age, before big tests, my hands would get so sweaty I could barely hold my pencil."

Give Them Strategies

We practice test-taking breathing. In for four counts, hold for four, out for four. We call it "4-4-4 breathing," and now I hear kids coaching each other through it.

We also talk about positive self-talk. Instead of "I'm going to fail," we practice "I'm going to do my best with what I know."

Make It Normal to Ask for Help

I tell my students that even teachers need help sometimes. When I'm struggling with something, I ask my colleague Yolanda or call my mom. It's not weakness, it's smart.

The Ripple Effect of Calm

Here's what I've noticed. When I manage my stress better, my whole classroom changes. Kids start helping each other more. They're more willing to take risks with their learning. They actually seem to enjoy school, even during testing season.

And honestly? My own kids at home notice too. Daniela called me last week and said, "Mom, you sound so much more relaxed this year." That hit me right in the heart.

Your Stress-Management Action Plan

Tomorrow morning, try this: Before your kids arrive, take five deep breaths and remind yourself of one thing you love about teaching. Maybe it's seeing the lightbulb moment when a concept clicks, or the way your kids' faces light up when they see you in the hallway.

During the day, check in with your body. Are your shoulders tense? Is your jaw clenched? Take a moment to relax.

And remember, we're modeling emotional regulation every single day. Our kids are watching how we handle pressure, and they're learning from us whether they realize it or not.

We're All In This Together

Testing season is tough, but we've survived it before and we'll survive it again. More than that, we'll help our kids not just survive, but thrive.

Take care of yourself first, maestra. You can't pour from an empty cup, and our kids need us at our best.

What's your go-to strategy for staying calm when everything feels chaotic? I'd love to hear what works for you. We're all in this beautiful, messy, stressful, wonderful profession together.