Teacher burnout is a real thing and it should be taken more seriously than it is. Schools today are pushing teachers more than ever to meet mandates and initiatives, to teach all day while multitasking with handling student behaviors and parent communication, extra duties, coming in early, and staying later than contractual time. After reading this article Teachers work more overtime than any other professionals, analysis finds – Education – TES News, there is no wonder that 20% of teachers experience teacher burnout and leave the teaching profession in 3 years. It is predicted that 50% of teachers experience teacher burnout and will leave the teaching profession within 5 years and 80% of teachers will leave within 10 years (Queen & Queen, 2004).  It’s time to get real with teacher burnout and learn how to beat it!

In my 15-year teaching career as an elementary teacher, I experienced teacher burnout twice. The first time was in 2009. I did not know it was teacher burnout yet I had many of the symptoms. I was exhausted, getting sick all the time, had stomach aches, was feeling anxious, and was just downright cranky. I actually went to the doctor and after running some tests and ruling out all the medical concerns I created in my mind, I was diagnosed with “chronic stress,” aka teacher burnout. ‘Teacher burnout, not me,’ I thought. And then I did some reflecting. I was working harder, not smarter, took way too much work home with me and there was no “me” time. Teaching was pretty much my life.

Doing Some Research

I read up on teacher burnout and most of the quick fixes involved things that I could not or did not want to do. Like…

Exercise – I really don’t want to admit this but I hate exercising. For me, it’s a chore, not a choice. I envy the people that love to exercise and go to the gym at 5 a.m. or go to the gym after work and workout until 8 p.m. Not me, but this is something that I will continue to work on for the sake of my heart, mind, and body!

Meditate or do yoga – I tried yoga for a while but that was short-lived. I was so bored with yoga. The type A, New Yorker in me cannot be that still in the body and mind for too long. Goodbye yoga!

Find a hobby or read a good book – I only read in the summer, so sad, I know! This wasn’t realistic for a mom who had sports practice after school and needed to come up with some kind of decent dinner. No time for hobbies. 🙁

Taking long, hot baths or walks – This just didn’t fit into a busy mom schedule. Sounds so nice though! Maybe one day!

So I didn’t do much about this diagnosis and felt that this was just the way it was going to be in this profession. Until teacher burnout reared its ugly head once in then again in 2013. I was moved to another grade to teach, so everything was new…new curriculum, new standards, new projects and assignments, more grading, and testing!!! It felt like I was starting all over again after 12 years of teaching. It wasn’t until then did I realize that teacher burnout was truly a real thing and many other teachers were suffering from it too. I began to notice other teachers experiencing teacher burnout just from the worn expressions on their faces while walking down the hallway, blank stares, no eye contact, no “hello” or “good morning.” Then there was negativity, low motivation, or drive to collaborate with other teachers or take any initiative to do something for the team. This was not good. I knew I had to fight to beat teacher burnout so it wouldn’t get me a third time. So this time I got real with it.

Getting Back to the Happy, Healthy You!

Here’s what worked for me:

Drink, Drink, Drink

No, I don’t mean alcohol ;), I mean get a backpack filled with water bottles and attach a long, flexible straw to your mouth. I have had 10 kidney stones over the course of my teaching career because I do not drink enough water. I was so dehydrated and in so much pain that I had to be hospitalized twice last year. My goal is to drink 80 oz. of water per day. Possible? I’m not sure but I do try! Just think of all the health benefits that drinking a lot of water provides, like flushing out your body’s toxins, feeling fuller, helping with weight loss…and the list goes on. So drink up to get to a healthier you.

Make an Organized List

Organize the day’s priorities and stick to it for that day and that day only. Making lists of unrealistic goals for weeks ahead at a time is overwhelming. Make a list for just that day and try to complete everything on that list. Cross out whatever gets done so you see and feel a sense of achievement. Whatever doesn’t get finished put at the top of your list for the next day. Celebrate what you did today.

Leave Work at Work

Work really needs to stay at work because working moms know that when you get home there are too many other things that need your attention in a short amount of time. There is homework, making dinner, after-school activities, sports practice, baths, tidying up, chores, etc. There is really no time for planning and grading. There were countless nights I would stay up until midnight grading and planning. The perfectionist inside me had to read every paper, every response, and every little thing assignment. Then I would give thoughtful feedback on every assignment, including homework, which put me right back on that road which led me to teacher burnout. There has to be a point where you need to have that work-life balance. So leave the work at work and focus on your family and yourself at home so you could be the best well rested you for the next school day.

So now you are thinking, that is impossible. How will you get all your work done then? Good question this leads me to…

Prioritize

Only grade and give feedback to the most meaningful assignments, not everything. Some assignments I glance through and check for task commitment, complete work, thought process, and effort. And some things I know I must grade and give my most thoughtful feedback too. But again, not on everything. Prioritize what is best for you and your students.

Teach for the Right Reasons

Remember that you are teaching for your students, not for an audience, not for a pat on the back, not for praise and acknowledge, and not to get the best teacher award. You are teaching your students and only your students. They know you are doing your best and will understand if papers are not graded and returned within 24 hours. Be real with your students. They know that you have a family and a life outside of school too.

And by no means should you not try the other great suggestions for teacher burnout like exercising, reading, finding a good hobby, listening to your favorite music, playing a sport, and doing the things that you love and make you happy — just find what works for you and keep it real. Self-care is so important and I’m learning that I need to MAKE time for the things that I love and enjoy doing.

Read another teacher’s story about teacher burnout and well-being here.

I offer a video tutorial on stress management for teachers called, Stress Management For The Frazzled Teacher.

Check it out here.

How do you battle teacher burnout? Share any coping strategies you have or tips/tricks that work. Go to forums, then to Battling Teacher Burnout, to share any ideas or suggestions or leave a comment below.