Of course, you have heard people outside of the teaching profession say, “Oh teachers have the best job, summers off, and get out of school at 3:00?” The people that say this couldn’t be less informed about what teachers really do. I’ve never really had a summer “off” and the school day doesn’t end until after 3:00 in this neck of the woods. I’ve had my share of teacher burnout too while juggling home and school life. If you missed my post about battling teacher burnout, you could read it here. Keeping up with a flawed educational system, constant administrative turnover, a heavy workload, multitasking all day, plus attending to my own personal matters like my house, my family, and myself, left the teacher inside me feeling extremely tired.
It wasn’t until my struggle with infertility and IVF, a rough pregnancy with numerous kidney stones all while teaching did I realize that I needed a break. Why? Because somewhere along the line, I lost myself and I lost my passion for teaching and I knew that I had to get it back. Now I am not telling you to quit your job 😉 but if you find yourself in a tired teacher rut, here’s how to get out of it.
Network
I have always been a social media introvert until I created For The Love of Teachers, a website and blog dedicated to teacher collaboration. As I became part of Facebook groups, Instagram and LinkedIn, I instantly made connections with other teachers, writers, bloggers, and other education professionals and began collaborating with amazing people. Collaborating and connecting with these teachers brought me back to life, as well as new opportunities. I learned so much from their ideas, creativity, and love for teaching that my passion for teaching and learning returned. What an amazing feeling and journey this became. If I had not networked with others I wouldn’t have grown in the ways I did and would be the same tired teacher that I was.
Explore
Is your job position the cause of your tiredness? Are you feeling stuck? It’s time for a change. Don’t be afraid to explore new possibilities and opportunities. For example, if you are ready for a change from teaching in a self-contained classroom, look for positions that give you a little more flexibility outside of the classroom. Could you apply for a specialist job in an area of your expertise? Could you coach or mentor teachers? Do not be afraid of getting out of your comfort zone. Exploring new possibilities and opportunities helps you grow as a professional, try something new and get out of that tired teacher rut.
Change
I made the mistake of staying in the same place for way too long. I was in a place where I wasn’t being developed in the way that I hoped or recognized for my skills and contributions in the workplace. So my motto is, if I stay in the same place and become stagnant I will not continue to grow as a professional and I don’t want to be the same person I am 30 years from now. I want to continue to learn, grow and teach others. So that may mean I will not retire in the place I am in today and I may have to take some risks to get to the place I am meant to be. Change is good… embrace it!
Positivity
What a breath of fresh air collaborating with positive teachers that love teaching and sharing their good work. If you find that you are in a work environment that is full of negativity and your neighbors are “Debbie Downers,” this is definitely lighting the fuel of the tired teacher inside you. Put it out by surrounding yourself with positive and encouraging role models. And when you find them, be their BFF because it’s people like that who contribute to your overall well-being and success. Don’t be afraid to break up with your colleagues.
Indulge
Be sure to take some time for yourself. Spoil, pamper and treat yourself with all of the things you love to do outside of teaching. If you don’t it will lead you right back on the one-way road to teacher burnout. Whatever it may be to destress like exercising, reading, spending time with family and friends, traveling, spending the day shopping, or going to the spa…whatever tickles your fancy is what you need to be doing to take care of the tired teacher inside you. Taking care of yourself helps you be the best you could be so you could take care of your family and your students.
How do you know if you are in a tired teacher rut?
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You lost your passion for teaching
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You have joined the “Debbie Downers” group
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You dread the work week and live for the weekends
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You do not care to collaborate with others
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You picked up some unhealthy habits
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You aren’t growing professionally
Sound familiar? Act fast and get out of that tired teacher rut and get back to loving teaching.
Have you been a tired teacher rut? What strategies have you used to get out of it? Please share so we could help one another.
Check out my video tutorial, Stress Management 101 for the tired, frazzled teacher here.
Related posts:
Getting Real with Teacher Burnout: 5 Ways To Beat It
5 Self Care Tips for Teachers During a Public Health Crisis
6 Effective Stress Management Techniques for Teacher Well-Being
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Christine Weis is a passionate educator, classroom management coach, wife, and mom of two busy boys. She enjoys teaching, writing, and creating resources for teachers.
Wow, Christine! Another great read. I have been in a “teacher rut” several times in my career. Your descriptions and suggestions are spot-on!
Last year was especially difficult for me as I had a very challenging class and I felt completely drained at the end of each day.
This year was wonderful. I think after having last year’s group it helped me appreciate my students this year so much more and I threw myself into my profession and it once again became my passion.
Networking on social media also has been a tremendous motivator for me. Sharing resources and receiving positive feedback for my efforts was a gift. It encouraged me to keep going “above and beyond”. I was/am inspired my new social media “niche”. You don’t always get that from your colleagues or “Debbie Downers” as you call them.
Thank you for an excellent read and sharing your story, love!
Thanks Lori! Like you I had a challenging class last year that put me into a teacher rut and I hear you when you say it was draining everyday. Thanks to teachers like you who have helped me get back my passion and to continue to learn and grow, something I didn’t have in the workplace. I believe that life takes you on different paths to meet different people and to go to places that will help you get where you are meant to be. I’m so glad that I have connected with you and others who have inspired me and have made me come back to life. Each school year has its ups and downs but I am learning to just go with it because I am truly doing what I love to do and I will bounce out of that tired, teacher rut. Thanks for reading and for sharing your thoughtful comment. Appreciate it!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Thank you for sharing these great ideas!
You are welcome! Thanks for reading Julie! 🙂
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
These are great ideas even if you aren’t a teacher. Too often, we can surround ourselves with Debbie downers and it only makes it worse. I try to turn on a positive podcast to reset my mind and get me going.
I agree Lacy! So many professions are challenging and have too many Debbie Downers. Sometimes you really meed to separate from them and find a better way to cope…like listening to a positive podcast to reset…great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
This article has some great ideas for dealing with teacher burnout. Definitely something to bookmark and read when you’re feeing down.
Thank you! Good idea to book mark resources that could help when need support. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Such a great and helpful post. I just shared your blog with two of my friends who are teachers and sometimes feel too much under the weather at their jobs!
Thanks for sharing this blog! I hope it’s helpful to your friends and what a good friend you are for offering support! So thoughtful!!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I am suffering from burn out at the moment. The only thing keeping me going is writing the school show. I hate burn out I end up second guessing my ability. I desperately try not to be a Debbie downer.
Hi Nicki! I hear you! I’ve had burnout multiple times on multiple levels. It’s always good to focus on something positive to keep you going. Don’t second guess your ability. You are doing the best you can under high demands I’m sure. Hang in there…this too shall pass.
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Bookmarked for the future! I didn’t realize teachers had an opportunity to use FB like that! Really good to know, thanks for the post!
Great! I didn’t know either until I created For The Love of Teachers. There are amazing teacher groups out there that are supportive and share amazing ideas and products.
Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
What a great post! We do not give teachers enough credit they seriously work around the clock and long days, and yes even through the summer when they are “off.” Thank you for all you do!
Thank you Megan! We appreciate the teacher love! 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Great post, I can only imagine the exhaustion that comes with being a teacher. Do you share this information with your school/fellow colleagues?
Thank you! I do share on all social media platforms. Some read, and some don’t but thank you for reading! 🙂
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I love this so much! I honestly think these tips can be applied to many different professions.
-Emily @ livingfitwithemily.com
Thanks so much Emily! I agree…this can be applied to many other professions. All professions are demanding and put us in a tired rut every now and then. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I am not a teacher, but I’m sorry about the misconceptions we teachers harbor. I’m glad you have found a way to cope. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your understanding and for reading! I think all professions have challenges and we need to find ways to cope and remember why we teach in the first place.
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Not a teacher but I know the job is no joke, so I thank you all for ur constant service
Thanks Tola! Teaching is definitely no joke! Well said! I appreciate your comment! 🙂
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I’m not a teacher, but have many friends who are and I’ve heard them say they felt this way at some point. Sharing your post with them!
Thank you Lynn for sharing my post with your teacher friends. We could all use a few tips to get out of the tired teacher rut. 🙂
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
This is such a beautiful candid post! I love it, and I truly appreciate the tips you share for finding a way out of a tiring teacher rut. I am a former English teacher, and I definitely know what it’s like to feel burned out. Taking “me” time and breaks is essential! I took a few years off from teaching to invest in creative projects and entrepreneurial endeavors, and it was definitely a smart move. Now I find that I have more time and passion to return to teaching if I choose. Thanks for this great post!
Thank you Aarika! I appreciate your thoughtful comment, especially coming from a former English teacher. I love your idea of taking a few years off from teaching to invest in creative projects and other endeavors, just like how I created For The Love of Teachers. I think teachers get so burnt out because they stay in the same place too long with the mindset that they must retire there. But there are a lot of opportunities for teachers and a lot of different areas to teach in if you take the time to look for them. Change is good for the tired teacher and it’s also exciting to try new things. That’s how I got my passion back and I am so thankful that I did. Thank you for reading this post and for sharing your experiences as well.
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Change and positivity is so important!!
Agree!!! I believe we could get through any change if we embrace it and remain positive. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I’m going to share your site with some friends. I know so many friends who have moved away from teaching (all in Arizona – I think that state may have something to do with it) and maybe this resource will help them!
Thank you for sharing my post! I could understand why your friends moved away from teaching. It’s a challenging profession and system. I bet the state of Arizona has little to do with it. I have taught in a few states and it’s all the same unfortunately. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Oh wow! I so love this post. My husband is a teacher of Special Children. And I’ve never heard or seen him tired of with his job (well, just working with the admin people tho). But him teaching his kids, that’s what is always in his mind.
-Gerome of G&D Blog
https://www.gdblog.net/
Thank you and thank your husband for me for the years of service he provides to students with special needs. Working with admin is one of the biggest challenges teachers face. Teaching for the kids and for the right reasons is why we teachers stay in this challenging profession! Thanks for sharing!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I got out of the tired teacher rut by retiring this year. Thirty years of teaching is long enough!
WOOHOO! 30 years is definitely long enough. I’m only teaching 15 years and I feel like I need to retire sometimes. Thank you for your service in this challenging profession. Enjoy every minute of your well deserved retirement! 🙂
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
It’s really cool that you can find Facebook groups for teachers for support. These all sound like great tips for getting out of a teacher’s rut 🙂
There are so many fantastic groups for teachers…teacher bloggers, teacherpreneurs and Teacher Pay Teachers and more!!! They are all amazing teachers and I am so fortunate to connect and network with all of them! Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers