As educators, the beginning of a new school year brings excitement, fresh opportunities, and the chance to make a positive impact on young minds. However, we are now in October – that longish stretch before Veteran’s Day and the Thanksgiving holidays. This time period includes the first quarter grading results, parent/teacher conferences, the “sugar rush” many students have after Halloween, and “fall fever” arrives as the temperatures change.
Without a doubt, this fair share of challenging experiences puts teachers at-risk of burnout. To help you navigate the remaining part of the first semester with enthusiasm and resilience, we have list of ideas to help you thrive in your teaching or leadership role.
- Prioritize Self-Care: The foundation of avoiding burnout starts with taking care of yourself. You must “pour into” yourself so that you can “pout out” to your students. Prioritize sleep, eat healthily, exercise regularly, and engage in activities that bring you joy. A well-rested and healthy teacher is a more effective one. If you need some specific ideas, check out our FREE course “Having a Full Cup: Self-Care in Teaching.”
- Set Realistic Expectations & Proper Boundaries: Recognize that you can’t do it all. Set achievable goals for yourself and your students. Don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t always go as planned. Related to this idea is the need for clear boundaries between your personal and professional life. Teachers regularly bring work home (e.g., grading); however, you need to pick at least one night a week where that does not happen. Unplug from emails and messages after hours by not having your work email synced to your phone!.
- Seek Support from Colleagues: Don’t hesitate to lean on your fellow teachers for advice and support. Sharing experiences and strategies can be invaluable in reducing stress. You should not be surprised at all that many of your friends are going through something similar. Create your own “internal” support group together through short meetings with them before school starts OR right before everyone leaves at the end of the day. This team will create life-long friends that you will speak with for the rest of your life!
- Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Celebrating successes, even minor ones, can boost your motivation and morale. What do we mean? If you have small, support group, then start by sharing with them. One idea is for your “team” to have a Celebration Jar in some location that all of you can reach. Put some sticky notes close by and anyone can add a celebration at any time. At a designated timeframe – either Fridays or the last day of the month – read through them all and see the positives that occurred.
- Don’t Neglect Your Passions: We all have various hobbies and interests and, unfortunately, they are often the first to go when burnout is on the horizon. Resist the urge to neglect those interests and continue pursuing your hobbies outside of the classroom. These activities can provide a much-needed escape and recharge and should be truly distanced from work. For instance, you may love to read which is great – but read for joy not to learn something you can apply in class. These interests may include the incorporation of mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises at various points of the day to give you a mental break. Be sure to infuse them into your daily routine as that gives you consistency.
- Reflect and Adapt: Regularly assess your teaching methods and make adjustments based on what’s working and what isn’t. Being adaptable can reduce frustration and burnout. This does not require a lengthy timeframe as 10 minutes every day will make a huge difference. This time allows you to focus on the joys of teaching and the impact you are having on the lives of students. The power of this reflection and adaptation – especially if you write it down – is that those lessons can be left as a legacy. For instance, a first year teacher that journaled this way for their entire first year could share it with a brand new teacher that joins the school the following year.
- Engage in Professional Development: Continuous learning can keep your teaching skills fresh and engaging. It may even offer the “key” to reaching the hard to teach. Attend workshops, webinars, or conferences to stay updated and motivated. If you go to a conference away from school, be sure to leverage some of that time to do things you want to do – take a walk in the evening, swim at a pool, eat at a new restaurant, catch a movie, or spend time to colleagues who are also there.
In the whirlwind of the first semester, it’s essential to remember that you are not alone in facing the challenges of teaching. By implementing these strategies and prioritizing self-care, you can reduce the risk of burnout and continue to inspire and educate your students effectively.
Remember, a well-nurtured teacher is a beacon of light in the classroom, guiding students toward a brighter future. While lighthouses, like the one below (photo by the author), are gorgeous during the sunshine, they are more effective during the dark and the storms. Avoiding burnout means that you are ready when those students need you most!
