The student text explains stress factors and aids in the development of a personalized stress management program for rural special educators. The text is designed to help teachers analyze personal characteristics that relate to stress producing situations, reasons contributing to those personal characteristics, personal and professional effects of stress, and personal characteristics that need change. Also the text helps teachers design for themselves a relevant stress reduction plan. Following an introduction to stress and stress management, the text is divided into three major sections which discuss stress causes for rural special educators and stress reduction through cognitive, affective, and physiological methods. The three sections use worksheets contained in an appendix to help teachers explore various stress reduction methods. Suggested cognitive activities include identifying stress patterns, recognizing emotions, applying an emotional continuum to stress reduction, identifying currently used stress reduction methods and resources, and practicing new methods. Suggested affective stress reduction activities include structuring appropriate releases for anger, structuring a social support group, building positive attitudes, and desensitizing oneself to anxiety-producing situations. Physiological methods of stress reduction focus on increasing circulation, relaxation techniques, and nutrition. The text includes a reading list. (SB)