Teacher burn out is a growing concern. The demands of teaching are many and teachers often feel a lack of support. Teachers are held to higher standards of accountability while being given less freedom around curriculum and activities. It is a recipe for frustration.
We recently held a live event focused on teacher rejuvenation. Our presenters guided many conversations around steps teachers can take to remain positive and empowered. Here are some of the key take aways from these teacher discussions.
Shift your mindset.
You are probably familiar with Carol Dweck’s work around mindset and are probably implementing growth mindset activities in your classroom. Remaining positive and proactive in teaching also may require a mindset shift.
Rethink expectations. What are the things that the district actually requires and where do you have more room for choice than you might have thought?
Integrate curriculum and standards.
The list of standards teachers must address is long. So is the curriculum. How can you possibly cover everything? There isn’t time to focus on each standard and objective alone. Look for or design lessons and activities that fulfill several curriculum objectives and several standards at once.
When choosing curriculum activities ask yourself, “Is this life worthy?” Choose the most important material.
Take care of yourself.
If you are not healthy, you will not be good to anyone else. It is the put your own oxygen mask on first philosophy. Self-care is not a luxury; it is a requirement.
In our discussions, teachers shared the many things they do to stay healthy. Adequate sleep was at the top of the list. Teachers also do yoga, run or partake in some other form of physical activity. They try to eat well and drink plenty of water.
In terms of decompressing from the demands of the day, teachers relax with Netflix, a good book or spend time playing with their children or animals. Several teachers also mentioned the importance of spending time in nature.
Reengage with your purpose.
Remember why you went into teaching. Think of a student you have helped; your actions influenced this student in a positive way. These are the students who make us cry, the ones whose lives we have changed. These are the stories that remind us why we do what we do and that we do have power to make a difference in the lives of students. Hold these stories close to your heart.
Keep a folder for Positive Notes for Days I Really Need Them.
We wrote about this life affirming folder here.
Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.
When we are vulnerable, we are at our most real and honest. In this space we can connect with students and build real and strong relationships. In return, students will become more vulnerable, leaving them open to taking risks with new concepts. Growth mindset exists in the space where we are open and vulnerable, not held back by worrying about how we look or what others will think.
Call on your creativity.
When you are creative, life is interesting and fun. Creativity helps you to design intriguing lessons that delight and surprise students. Creativity leads to problem solving in unique and effective ways.
When you are “sparked” and your students are “sparked” the result is joy!
If you are bored and students are bored, the result is anything but joyous. Boredom leads to teacher burn out.
Be open to potential.
You probably have skills and talents that you are not using on a regular basis. What would happen if you worked from your highest talents? Would you feel more empowered in your work?
Likewise, our students have many different skills and talents. Notice the talents of your students. Observe them as they engage in different tasks. How can you help them to notice and use their gifts? Help students to see the gifts in each other and encourage each other to bring their highest selves to their work.
When people are working in their personal zone of genius, motivation increases. So does learning. When we are in the zone, teacher burn out is not an issue.
Reimagine Your Dream.
There is a saying that if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. As teachers, we have far to go.
Our work is too broad and too important to go it alone. You need a dream team to support you. You need to either identify your dream team or build one.
Who are the people who are supportive of your work? They may be your grade level or departmental colleagues. They may be your administrators. They may be teacher friends who work in different schools. Identify your supportive dream team. Make sure that you have regular ways of engaging with them for encouragement or ideas.
You also need a dream team to support you outside of school. These are the ones that help you take your mind off of work. They help you to have fun, to relax, and to see the bigger picture.
We need to help each other.
In recent years, teachers are leaving the field in record numbers. The number of education majors at colleges and universities is also down. We believe that teachers have more power to control things than they actually know. We also know that teachers need to work together. We have made it part of our mission at Thriving Young Teachers to support teachers.
What do you do to avoid teacher burn out? We’d love to hear your ideas.
Our best,
