If you're a classroom educator, you know firsthand how challenging and demanding your job can be. Between juggling lesson planning, student assessments, grading, parent communications, administrative duties, and extracurricular demands, it's unsurprising that teacher burnout is a prevalent issue in today's education system. Consider this: in a recent survey conducted by the National Education Association, more than half of members said they were planning to retire or leave teaching sooner than planned. Stress and burnout are key factors driving an exodus from the profession and contributing to an ongoing and global teacher shortage (and a global pandemic only made these issues more acute). In this episode, we'll be discussing some of the causes of burnout and the signs and symptoms that teachers might experience as a result of workplace stress. We'll also be diving into a variety of strategies that can be used to combat burnout, cultivate resilience, and prioritize your mental health.
A key takeaway from our conversation is the importance of your relationships with colleagues and trusted administrators in reducing teacher stress and burnout. Building relationships and getting involved (to the extent possible) in leadership positions within your school or district might be one way to make a big difference. Your voice is crucial! By becoming an advocate for change and having a say in important decisions, educators can begin to shift attitudes that lead to a culture of stress and burnout.
From mindfulness and self-care practices to boundary-setting and time-management strategies, we'll be sharing a wide range of tools and techniques that can help educators to reduce stress and cultivate a more sustainable work-life balance. Whether you're a seasoned educator or an aspiring teacher just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice that can help you to minimize the risk and effects of burnout in your own career. Tune in and join the conversation!
Sources and Resources:
Teach.com - 50 Resources to Support the Mental Health of Teachers and School Staff
Edutopia - How Burned Out Are You? A Scale For Teachers By Kevin Leichtman
The New York Times - Teachers, Facing Increasing Levels of Stress, Are Burned Out By Sejla Rizvic
NEA - Poll Results: Stress And Burnout Pose Threat Of Educator Shortages
American Red Cross - The red crescent and red crystal
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success By Carol S. - The Book Loft - German Village- Columbus, Ohio.