Tips for Preventing and Recovering from Teacher Burnout

When you decided to become a teacher you most likely had a passion, a fire if you will, for the career you wanted to embark on. It could have been passion for the topic you teach, passion for the students you could reach, or you were inspired by a teacher you had in your childhood. But today, that fire feels small, maybe even dead. You are struggling with mustering up even a little enthusiasm for the career you started. You may be struggling with teacher burnout.

According to one Gallup survey, the rate of teacher burnout is 14% higher than in other industries. The ongoing challenges of larger classroom sizes, wages not meeting the cost of living, and dealing with many other stressors all lead to an increase in the reality and likelihood of teachers feeling burnt out in their jobs.

Common signs of teacher burnout:

• Feeling emotionally exhausted.
• Feeling like they are not making a difference.
• Having negative thoughts about their job.
• Being cynical about their students or colleagues.
• Feeling isolated and alone.
• Having physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, or fatigue.

If you recognize these signs in yourself that is a good thing, because then you can do something about it.

Several things can help you recover from and prevent teacher burnout.

Set boundaries

It is important to set boundaries around your time and energy. This means not taking work home, limiting the number of extracurricular activities you participate in, and refusing to work with difficult students or colleagues. It is recommended that you do not give your personal phone number to students or parents. You don’t need to be available outside of your contracted hours to the school.

Take time off

Make sure you take time off regularly, both during the school year and during the summer. This time off should be used for relaxation and recharging, not for working on school projects or planning lessons. If you are feeling a budgetary pinch about taking time off, it might be time to get creative and ask for help from friends and family.

Seek support

Your colleagues, friends, family, or therapists are all excellent sources of support. Talking about the problems can help you feel less alone. Others can provide you with strategies for coping with stress. It is also good to talk to your supervisor, making them aware of the struggles and seeing what ways they may be able to help you feel supported in your job.

Engage in self-care

You should engage in activities that you find enjoyable and relaxing. From a bubble bath to exercise, reading, and crafts. Find hobbies outside of work that fill you with joy and satisfaction.

Professional development

You should take advantage of professional development opportunities to learn new skills and stay up to date on the latest teaching methods. This can help you feel more confident and motivated in your work.

Rekindle the flame after teacher burnout

Being a teacher can alternate between frustrating and rewarding on the same day. The job is a marathon, not a sprint. By taking care of yourself you can be a better teacher for the long haul.

If you find yourself feeling burned out at your job, that does not mean you need to change careers. Talking to a counselor can help you take steps to recover from burnout. Call our offices today to set up an appointment and rekindle the passion that led you to become a teacher in the first place.