The struggle between teacher burnout and finding a balance is an absolute constant in this profession.
With the unrealistic demands made on teachers and leaders alike, (oversized classes, grading, paperwork, and duties, etc.) the need to find ways to cope with how to spend our time and energy needs to be brought to the forefront when we examine school culture.
Teacher-student relationships are jeopardized when teacher burnout is apparent. Our mood affects the culture of our classrooms and school, so this balance is imperative to find. Most important, we must examine the real issue and not just apply bandage solutions. If, for example, grading burns you out, then a close examination of pedagogy is what needs to be addressed.
While each situation is different for each person, the fight against burnout can be curbed through a diligent prioritizing of keeping students at the core of our practice. One who finds this balance is compelled to work beyond proposed limits.
Dr. Amy Fast's (@fastcrayon) book "It's the Mission, Not the Mandates," echoes this statement when she advocates knowing your "why" so that your work becomes meaningful and purposeful; Consequently, those who know their "why" are those who do not regard their role as a vocation, but an avocation and have heightened resilience to burnout.
The truth behind this post, however, is that the chase for this balance is the same as the pursuit of happiness. You have to work at it constantly and consistently to procure and sustain it.
Below are two great comments that contribute to the discussion of balance:
1) Teacher Kareem Farah (@kareenfarah) tweeted, "Teacher burnout can be a consequence of exhaustion but also a result of stagnation. It is critical that districts develop teacher leadership that keeps great teachers in the classroom but allows them to elevate and scale their expertise."
Yes, the notion of teacher leadership hits home for me. On any given staff, there are always the race boats, the sailboats, and the anchors. Giving others too little to do is just as harmful as giving others too much to do.
These two tweets summarize the dichotomy within a culture that can be found in every school. As teachers and leaders, we are those who care for others. Therefore, we must be cognizant that we take care of ourselves first and foremost before we are able to effectively take care of others.
Personal Resiliency and The Basics of Self-Care
A question was posed in an #Edutopiachat on how you would approach a teacher who is burnt out. My answer is "approach with empathy and an open ear, some coffee and a nonjudgmental attitude," but what I neglected to add was patience.
It is my hope that we retain the great teachers in this field. There is so much to do and we need teachers to fight the good fight. Don't give up.
Below is a list to help you achieve this balance:
Eat
Sleep
Drink water
Move
Connect
Pause
Acknowledge
Reflect
(Repeat)
