The Show Notes
Teacher burnout. It’s a term the educational community is very familiar with. Sometimes, the holiday or summer break is all you need. Some extra time for self-care, rest, and the chance to spend more time with family does wonders.
But if you’re returning from breaks just as discouraged as before, you might be facing something else. In this episode, we’re going to answer the question-is this teacher burnout? We’re going to define burnout-what it is, and what it’s not.
Whatever you’re facing, there is hope and more paths to pursue!
Getting to the Root of the Problem
Teacher burnout is a very common experience for teachers. But it’s also something that is easily misdiagnosed.
Let’s take a deeper look at the three most common sources of stress for teachers. See if one of them sounds like you.
Teacher #1: Facing Burnout & Exhaustion
This teacher could be described as overwhelmed, fatigued, and stressed. They end up taking a lot of sick days, and often experience some depression and a loss of motivation.
What’s the best way to address teacher burnout? It’s the simple things we overlook. Getting more sleep, eating better, and having better boundaries around work and personal time can make a big impact.
You can also do things to invest in yourself. In the Teacher Transition membership, you can find tools like the Beat Teacher Burnout Training. This will help you dodge those seasons before they really hit.
Teacher #2: Difference with Decision Makers
This teacher is struggling because they are being asked to do too many things that don’t align with their values or priorities. They may regularly feel angry about the extra demands being placed on them. Feelings like resentment and helplessness would be familiar for this teacher.
In this case, asking to have conversations with key decision-makers about these concerning issues may be all you need. These conversations can clear the air and offer some helpful context. Other times a conversation like this may lead to the chance to offer solutions.
But if a conversation like this leaves you feeling more discouraged, another possibility is to try another school, another district, or grade level. School culture makes a huge impact on your work experience. This kind of change could make all the difference.
Teacher #3: Ready for More
It might be that you’re not actually experiencing teacher burnout. And you may have tried making a change in settings, but you’re still feeling stuck.
What you may be struggling with is just a desire for more. More respect. More flexibility. More challenge. More income. It could be one or it could be a combination of any of these.
And can I tell you? All of those things are good desires.
This teacher is regularly underwhelmed. They rarely feel challenged and are struggling to find new ways to grow.
If this sounds like you, there are things you can try. You could pursue a master’s program or an online course. You may be satisfied in a new role if that kind of opportunity is available. Whatever you do, you have to find a chance to learn and expand your skillset.
So, which category are you in? Is this teacher burnout – or something else? If you’re not sure, Use the Teacher Well-Being Survey to get clear so you can figure out how to get unstuck!
Could you use the extra support in taking the next step after the classroom?
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Resources Mentioned in the Show
- Watch the FREE Webinar
- Join the Membership
- Take the Teacher Well-Being Survey
