5/10/14, 11:14 AM 10 Steps for Avoiding Teacher Burnout | Edutopia

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"Why did I want to be a teacher?" We all face burnout, sometimes on a daily basis, and in my case,
especially after fourth period. Most of the time, we can pick ourselves up, brush ourselves o!, and go back
to the drawing board to try another strategy to nd success with student learning. I have to admit that it is
getting more and more di"cult to make that transition back to a willingness to try again. I can't help to think
students are more di"cult than they used to be a few years ago, and pressures from accountability are
becoming more oppressive. And of course, the pay for teachers is inadequate. With all of this we may ask,
is it worth it?
Rather than provide a list of things to avoid, I would like to take a more proactive stance by sharing things
that will help diminish burnout feelings and help you answer, yep, it is worth it.
Step #1) Have Fun Daily with Your Students
Share jokes, brief stories, puzzles, brain teasers, etc. This keeps it interesting for you and for your students.
It only takes a minute and they are easy to align to the topic of the day.
Step #2) Take Care of Your Health
The physical status of your body a!ects your emotional responses, so never feel guilty about taking care of
yourself. Skipping lunch or breakfast are bad ideas. Make sure you get enough sleep each day. Take a
rejuvenating micro-nap when you get home. Get some better shoes to put a spring in your step. I used to
think that I was an active teacher and did not need exercise, but I realized that I need cardio-vascular and
upper body exercise, too. Thirty minutes on a treadmill, two days a week will do wonders. Simple pushups
strengthen your abdomen, back, and arms. You will be surprised at how much it helps you not be worn out
at the end of the day.
Step #3) Learn Something New and Share It with Your Students
Read an interesting book -- education or non-education related. I have been reading, The Smartest Kids in
the World and How They Got that Way from Amanda Ripley. It is interesting and education related, so I don't
TEACHER LEADERSHI P
10 Steps for Avoiding Teacher Burnout
APRI L 22, 2014
5/10/14, 11:14 AM 10 Steps for Avoiding Teacher Burnout | Edutopia
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feel guilty about taking time away from lesson planning and grading. Read a classic that you have always
wanted to read but never got around to reading. Watch a TED Talk (1) or go to Iuniversity (2) and nd
something interesting about brain research (that's what I like to explore anyway).
Step #4) Help Another Teacher
Share your motivating experiences locally or online. Edutopia is always here for that. If you take the time to
respond to a blog, you may be surprised at the response. Start your own uplifting blog to help beginning
teachers or nearly burned out ones. Be active in your professional organization by volunteering to teach,
facilitate, or prepare workshops. Mentor another teacher, either formally or informally. We can all use as
much help as we can get.
Step #5) Make Someone's Day
Call a parent and tell them how good their student is. Find a student that is struggling and sincerely
complement him or her on something they are doing well. Show gratitude for an administrator, or fellow
teacher by sending them an appreciative note, giving them a hug, or presenting to them a small gift.
Step #6) Lighten Up
Smile (it's after Christmas and it's ok). Try looking in the mirror, putting on a smile and then try not smiling
for real. It is nearly impossible. So try smiling when you do not feel like smiling. When you greet your
students at the door, smile at them and a miracle happens: They will smile back.
Step #7) Be a Scientist
Experiment with new strategies and become an expert in them. Ask your students to help. Do a control
group and an experimental group. Document your results and share them at a faculty meeting or a
conference. Celebrate success.
Step #8) Look for the Positive
Be a voice for positive thinking, even in the sta! lounge. It won't change the situations, but you will feel
better and others might be uplifted too. While teaching is hard, it is not all bad. Half empty glasses are not
nearly as exciting as half full ones.
Step #9) Redecorate
Switch out the bulletin boards, move the desks, and adjust the lighting. Add your favorite smells or be
adventurous with new ones. I found interesting ones: rhubarb, teak wood, and Hawaiian breeze (usually
spray, or solid.) Check with your schools policy about bringing plug-in oil or scented wax warmers.
Step #10) Trust Students More
Let the students know that you will be trusting them more and give them opportunities to earn your trust.
Try some project-based learning. Develop strong rubrics, share them with students, and then let them learn
as you facilitate and coach.
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Turning Things Around
It seems it is easier to fall into the trap of pessimism and negativity because of all the (okay, I will say it)
"garbage" teachers have to endure, but that does not have to be our choice. We can choose our attitude,
and choosing to do proactive things like those I listed above will go a long way in helping us keep our sanity
and avoiding burnout. What helps you keep plugging away? Please share in the comments section below.
Source: www.edutopia.org/blog/ten-tips-to-avoid-teacher-burnout-ben-johnson
Links
1 https://www.ted.com/talks/browse
2 www.iuniversity.com/
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