How to prevent burnout in teaching?

Question

Hi! I will be teaching again in July in a public school. I have suffered burnout before. How should I protect myself from a burnout? I love teaching but find it hard to handle stress, and to disconnect myself from teaching once off work.

Thank you and have a nice day!

Answer 1

Hey NiceGuy -

I can sympathize with you!  I taught for a couple of years as a second career experiment.  I loved being in the classroom but like you I took "stuff" home with me.  Not just work but emotional drama - worrying about some of the kids, bothered by politics and so on.

Gosh, I ended up quitting.  The schools need good teachers so that is not what I am suggesting.

Personality flaw of mine is a difficult time saying "no."  And you probably get asked to do lots of stuff by lots of people that sometimes has little do to with actually teaching kids.

Maybe you can do better than I did with saying "no."

If you have someone close who is willing to let you vent and get it out of your system after work that will probably help.

Another thing to consider is to set up a blog and get it out of your system by writing about it.

Hope that helps a little.

Answer 2

Hi NiceGuy ... I am struggling with this exact same issue, myself. I have been looking for info on the internet, and if you google "teachers stress", you will find some articles and resources.

I wish you all the best!

Answer 3

i think vary classes more, you don't only make them more interesting for the class but for you too....you can do this by celebrating various events and making the classes of a special theme.  group work for the class is also nice as it's positive to see the class coming and working together.

lots of great teaching ideas and support on this website:

http://www.teacher-appreciation.info

good luck, it really is a great profession!

Answer 4

Drink heavily!

Answer 5

An interesting question!  I think one of the first things you have to realize is exactly what your job is, exactly what is expected of you.  

I think it is important to realize that you are not a surrogate parent, friend, social worker, or counselor to your students.  You are the teacher; so focus on that.  If a student were to come to you with problems and need advice, certainly have the conversation...and then hand the child over to some one more qualified and better placed to deal with the problems.

Pace is very important for you as an employee, for your lessons, for your students' achievement.  Make sure that you see the long-term view of what it is you are supposed to be teaching.  Make sure that your curriculum is spread out logically over the time that you have to teach it and the time students have to learn it.  I always find that if I am truly prepared and organized I feel confident and in control.  The days that I was not prepared and organized were the most stressful for me...attempting to create a lesson in front of the class is a recipe for disaster.

I found it difficult to stay away from the teachers' workroom on my conference period.  I needed a break out of my windowless classroom and enjoyed the camaraderie of chatting with other teachers.  However, that means that whatever work I was supposed to be doing (grading papers, calling parents, making photocopies, etc.) had to be done at another time...usually on my own time.  I also find that you must avoid like the plague any one who is consistently complaining and/or drains your energy.  Seek out and foster friendly relationships with co-workers who are positive and enjoy their work.

The best way for me to disconnect from work for me was to simply leave the papers, books, etc. at school.  If I didn't have the materials, I couldn't do the work.  I also made sure that I spent at least one full day each weekend without doing any work.  You deserve to have a life--even if you are a teacher.  And finally, take care of yourself.  Make sure that  you have a healthy lifestyle:  eat well, sleep enough, do some exercise.