"Teachers represent the largest group of professionals who use their voice as a primary tool of the trade."
As we close on the first month back at school, many teachers find that their voices and throats are hoarse and raw. Wearing a mask can decrease our natural volume, which may cause us to compensate with yelling.
The resources below have been shared to help remind you that your vocal hygiene is important to think about and give you ways to be mindful of your vocal health. Special thanks to Ashley Beach for sharing the follow resources:
- Wearing Masks in the Classroom and Vocal Hygiene for Digital and In Person Teaching (click here for pdf file)
- Top 10 Tips for Vocal Health (click here for the pdf file)
And, while we are on the topic of mask wearing, be aware of any pain in your jaw, head and neck after wearing a mask all day. Here is a detailed video about the discomfort you may experience with wearing a mask, as well as some jaw stretches to alleviate the pain. If you do suffer from TMJ (TemporoMandibular Joint) pain, wearing a mask may exacerbate the symptoms. Check out this HealthLine article about TMJ stretches.
