And I don’t like to use the word burden when it comes to educating those we love and care so much about, but sometimes you have to honor the realness of what teachers are enduring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Teachers feel caught in a cycle of constant stress and overwhelm. Yet, their teacher’s hearts want to keep showing up for students. This profession is very mission-minded, and teachers believe they are meant to impact and influence students in positive ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But at the end of the day, they leave their classrooms feeling like it isn’t enough. So, they work nights and weekends. They sit in the bleachers of their own children\u2019s ballgames, grading papers, responding to emails from concerned parents, and addressing student challenges, while cheering on their children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These professionals bear so many expectations from people on all sides, and it can be emotionally taxing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Teachers are expected to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The bottom line is they simply don’t have enough time or bandwidth, and it’s wreaking having our educators’ lives. They are managing a workload this is unattainable and unachievable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And this leads to feelings of defeat that can be uncomfortable, and tough to work through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some cases, this emotional cycle is due to unreasonable expectations from parents and administrators. But sometimes, it\u2019s a self-imposed burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a simple reason teacher workloads have become so overwhelming: we expect more from teachers than we used to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We can always work to change the system, but I know that sometimes the system doesn’t change, or it changes too slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I work with schools, we work on changing how we operate within the system, and we take back control over the things we do have power over. And that is our thoughts, actions, and behaviors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are the three things within our power, and when we can spend time on teachers’ mental health and well-being, we shift to more positive, engaged, productive, and happier teachers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides requiring less of teachers, there are a few things that can make a difference in the overwhelm. You can lighten the load \u2013 and the tips I\u2019m sharing are things that teachers <\/a>and administrators can do to potentially lower stress levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Consider assigning fewer worksheets and quizzes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I know that every school has requirements for what they expect to see from their teachers, but if possible, consider assigning fewer pieces of work. Consider the projects not because there\u2019s a hole in the schedule, but for the impact it could make on a student academically. Worksheets, problem sets, projects and quizzes all eventually end up back on a teacher\u2019s desk. It might help to consider the motivation behind assigning work: Is it an assignment with the purpose of keeping students quiet and busy, or is it a project that is truly important and impactful?<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Delegate responsibilities where possible<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If there\u2019s something students can do that you don\u2019t have to do \u2013 like passing out supplies, managing the flow charts, or ensuring computers or supplies are returned to their assigned space at the end of the day \u2013 give your students the responsibility. This may help them feel more confident and like they\u2019ve achieved something, and it\u2019ll help to free you up to concentrate on the things that only you as the teacher can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Administrators can help their teachers<\/a> to avoid burnout too\u00a0 – and the answer isn\u2019t better time management. Instead, try these things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Reconsider what you require of teachers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Along with the things that teachers can do to lighten their workload, administrators can do the same thing. Is each of the things you\u2019ve asked of your teachers really necessary? Would the world end if one or two of those things didn\u2019t happen?<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Encourage professional development, especially for new teachers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Especially for new teachers, sometimes the transition from \u201cstudent learning to teach\u201d to \u201cteacher with their own students\u201d can be a lot to manage. Professional development helps to give them more tools and to connect with others who are in the same space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Make sure teachers know you support them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This may have a bigger impact than you realize. The teacher-administrator relationship<\/a> is a powerful one that can help teachers feel more positive about the job they\u2019re doing, and research shows it can improve the entire school\u2019s culture. Staff members may benefit from knowing that you have an open-door policy and are there to hear them out, and help with issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re interested in learning more about how you can help teachers reduce the potential of burning out and help them keep enjoying the job they love, you might consider my most popular virtual or live keynote<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhere do these stressors come from?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What can be done to help teachers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How can teachers improve the situation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A few tips for administrators to address teacher burnout<\/h3>\n\n\n\n