Four Tips to Help Prevent Teacher Burnout

Since the pandemic, teaching has gotten pretty intense. The social and emotional needs of the students are far beyond what teachers can deal with in addition to parents, districts, and administration demands. For this reason, teachers are leaving the field in droves. The demands placed on teachers continue to increase without training in certain situations or lightening the load in other areas. I have worked at Title 1 schools for the past seven years and know the faces of those who need me. Like many other teachers, the children are the reason I do the work that I do. I have vacillated between going into a different field and continuing in education. Each new school year, I think this year will be better, and it has only gotten worse and worse. I have developed resilience through preserving, and I value and appreciate it. Here are a few things that I have used to help me beat the burnout amongst the chaos.

1 . Creative Outlet

As a teacher, I feel like I cannot always be as creative as I would like with my curriculum mandates. During one of my most challenging years, I maintained balance by creating Teachers Pay Teachers products. This may seem counterintuitive, but it's true. When I was creating, I had much more energy, and it also required my full attention, so I was not thinking about the challenges in my classroom that I could not control.

2. Get Outside

I know you have heard this a million other times. I can not tell you how much of an impact going on an afternoon walk has helped me mentally disconnect from situations beyond my control. You listen to classical music, enjoy nature, or get your blood flowing. Giving yourself this break allows you to persevere through the remainder of your day. If you are short on time, briefly do some breathing exercises; focusing your attention on your breathing can help.

3. Do the Things You Enjoy

If you are like me, you like to learn about all things teaching. In the process, you are probably reading lots of books on teaching. While this is great for your career, you are also more than your profession. Don't forget to do things you enjoy; for me, that was reading non-teaching books. I forgot how much I loved reading a good book. For others, this may be cooking a good meal or making time for friends.

4. Talk to a Friend

We all need someone to listen, especially when we feel overwhelmed with our jobs' demands. I have a couple of close teacher friends who understand me and can talk me down or help me when I need to bounce ideas off someone. Finding a good teacher friend who understands what you are going through can help you feel understood when loved ones cannot understand your feelings. This is one of my go-to when I want to throw in the towel. As a side note here, if you are having a challenging time with your mental health, please be sure to contact a therapist. I know that I have done this for talk therapy when the stress and pressure were at their worst.

While this list is not exhaustive, relief can be found in these tips. They have been the most effective for me and possibly for you!