First Person: Secondary traumatic stress: One teacher’s experience

Beth Rankin’s five years as a teacher were spent in an overcrowded elementary school filled with students who were experiencing a variety of traumas. Over time, as she learned more about her students’ lives, Rankin began to suffer from symptoms of secondary traumatic stress (STS), also known as compassion fatigue. STS is common among those in the helping professions who must help others manage trauma. Rankin shares her experiences with STS, how it led to her leaving the classroom, and why she believes it’s important to know about STS.