ON THE FRONT
Educators and Veterans Share Symptoms of Post-Trau
by Dr. Steve Rollin and Mike Sheppard
In A Man’s Search for Meaning (1946), Victor Frankl shared his story of survival of the Nazi
concentration camps. Frankl related that when he returned to his hometown of Vienna and
started revealing the horrors he endured at the concentration camps and the incredulity of his
survival, his community didn’t display the euphoria he expected. In fact, one of his friends
replied, “Yea, it’s been bad for everybody.” Victor Frankl understood his survival as the miracle
it was, while the public which he was most familiar downplayed the matter basically telling
him he was not unique. Has society had grown numb as a result of years of war and conflict.
Fast forward to today. We have come to understand that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
is often associated with military veterans returning from war as well as others who have fallen
victim to traumatic events e.g. rape. However, we find that educators may also be showing
very similar symptoms. We are not attempting to compare the trauma experienced by our
veterans who have faced the horrors
of war, but simply want to recognize a
strong correlation that PTSD symptoms
which are now appearing in the education
profession evidenced by anecdotal reports
from various school districts. We should
take notice, if in fact these problems
are occurring, and we should consider
appropriate action.
As we read articles, social media comments
and/or talk to educators across our state,
we notice low morale, but what might be
of greater concern are teacher’s feelings
of anxiety, depression, futility, and even
worthlessness. We find many new teachers
leaving the profession within five years of
their certification. These feelings are also
accompanied by depression and anger, all
possible symptoms of PTSD. When these
symptoms occur over a long period of
time without being addressed, it may add
to an individual’s sense of abandonment;
which may create hopelessness and
bleakness for individualists in the teaching
profession. We wonder why the issue is
not being addressed or even discussed.
In an effort to determine why teachers
across the state are reporting feelings of