Dear Teacher: If You Are Burned Out And Want To Quit...Let's Talk

My fellow teaching friend…if you are suffering from teacher burn out, so much so that each day, you dream of a different career? And we aren’t talking that dream career; we’re talking about going back to our waitressing days kind of career, working at a grocery store, even bartending sounds pretty good. Before you actually wave the white flag and quit, let’s talk.

First things first. If you are so close to quitting and know exactly why you are at this point, then just skip down to the section, Now Let’s Talk to get immediate help!

Let’s First Look At Why Teachers Are Quitting

Here are some startling statistics…well let me rephrase this. Here are some startling statistics to non-educators. Teachers are walking away in large numbers. The burn out rate is high with almost 50% of teachers looking for other jobs…and that is just in the group of teachers they surveyed. They didn’t ask me or any of my colleagues – and almost every educator I know is keeping his/her options open, so I’d say it’s higher than 50%. But anyway…

New Teachers Are Quitting

1/2 of teachers who quit do so within the first 5 years of teaching. I don’t know how that compares to people entering other job markets, but since it’s not a degree that can easily transfer, that’s a high number, but still not too surprising. Click here to help with new teacher overwhelm!

Good Teachers Who Love Teaching Are Quitting Too

Here is where it’s getting scary…really good teachers are so burned out they are just walking away, often with no other plans, with the mindset that anything is better than this. And, we are talking award-winning, veteran teachers here, who actually still love the teaching part, but are so frustrated with the system. Last year at my school, a rockstar teacher, who kids adore and learn so much from, was voted Teacher of the Year in the same month that she quit.

When the best teachers are getting so burned out they quit, we really need to look at why.

You see, the payoffs used to make the sacrifices worth it, but the cost is just becoming too high.

Now, there are the daily things teachers deal with that are just part of the territory. You know, things like not being able to pee when we need to, having to choose whether to eat or help students, needing to be a teacher-counselor-parent all at once, having less than an hour each day to prepare to preach for 7 hours…and my fellow educators, we could go on and on and add 100 other things to this list, right?!?! But, we aren’t talking about those today (although it is a true struggle lol and I See you).

We are talking about things like:

Working in a broken system
Decisions being made that aren’t in the best interest of our students (HUGE frustration)
Policymakers setting the standards, not teachers
Changes being made by people who don’t know the job (let’s just throw it all out there)
Constant curriculum changes when someone new steps in with better ideas
Preaching high standards but inadvertently being asked to lower expectations
Attending meetings that are a waste of time (all those things that take time but don’t matter in the classroom)
The current trend of not disciplining students which leads to disruptive classrooms and many staff members/students not being safe
Being told how to teach by someone who has never done it or tried it for a year or two
Given old technology and still expected to be Steve Jobs
Lack of support where it’s really needed
Last-minute decisions that cause chaos and constant crisis management
Having a voice that isn’t heard or is disregarded
No or little time to plan what he/she is actually going to teach
Having less control but more responsibility

This list is daunting isn’t it? After reading it, who wouldn’t quit? I mean, how many times do you hear someone say, If this were a public business it would fail.

Are You One Of Those Burned Out Teachers?

Let’s Talk

If you are reading this, especially if you jumped straight down to here without reading the first part…then I know that you are one of those burned-out teachers who is ready to quit. But here is something else I know about you…

You are a good teacher. In fact, you adore your students and love the actual teaching part.

And, I want you to know that I see you. You fight so hard to stay. I see you work with students each day to make sure they grasp what you teach. You hold them to high standards. I see you counsel them and teach them about life. At the end of the day, you realize you forgot to eat, are about to pee yourself and look like a hurricane hit you straight on. I see that too (and so does everyone else lol).

And then I see you going home exhausted, but plowing through the evening and doing All. The. Things.

Friend, All Hope Is NOT Lost

Before you burn out too, try some of the things below that have worked for your fellow teachers. Let me, and other veteran educators, help you love teaching again AND go home with energy and truly live the life that is all yours.

Teaching is so much easier and enjoyable when you are organized and have a strong classroom management system

I’m not going to spend a ton of time here because this isn’t the root of the burnout issue, but if you are frustrated in your own classroom when your door is shut and you are with your students, it is totally fixable and all in your control. Which is so nice to know in this profession where so much is out of our control.

Students need to know exactly what is expected of them when they walk in your room. They need to know that you hold them to high standards and will show them how to achieve those. And they need to know that you believe and value them. When they know these things, they will work hard for themselves and you.

I have two posts, Rocking Your Classroom Management and Classroom Management That Will Help Students Thrive And You Survive that have proven methods you can easily follow – check them out!

Now Let’s Talk About You…

Show Some Self Care

Self-care isn’t selfish. In fact, when you show self-care, you are a better version of you and everyone benefits. So do something you love… listen to music before or in between bells, bring a lunch you look forward to. Lock your door and have a peaceful lunch or share lunch with a colleague you enjoy and talk about anything BUT school. Walk the perimeter of the school. Just do something you love.

Surround yourself with things you enjoy

When you can look around your classroom and see something you love, you will instantly feel better! Bring pics of your favorite people, hang up funny or motivational quotes (did you sign up to get your free teaching quotes? You can do that above). Use your favorite colors of pens (I use seasonal colors). Get a calendar you love to look at. Put some bursts of your favorite color around. If you love plants, get a few for your room…whatever makes you go ahh I just love that when you see it.

This seems like something small but has a big impact. A friend of mine created a little wall that’s very her and she said that this year she’s going to teach facing that wall so she can always see something she loves! I have a post and free guide called How to Surround Yourself with Moments of ahh if you want more ideas – Click here to check it out! You’ll really like it!

Take a mental health day

Sometimes, you just need a day to refresh. Do it. You’ll be happier. Then everyone will be happier. If you can, pick a day when Sub notes will be easier and students will keep on learning…you will feel better and will enjoy your day even more – like when students are working on day 2 of a project. Or, take a day for appointments when you have SO LONG to go without a break, maybe that long haul from Labor Day – Thanksgiving…you know when September feels like 89 days long?!?

Exercise

I know, I know, it’s tough to find time to exercise, but you will think clearer, feel better and be content when you do. Can you wake up earlier and exercise? You can do killer HIIT workouts in 1/2 hour. If you can’t wake up earlier because you already wake up before the roosters (that’s me), try to establish 3 days a week after work. If you struggle with staying committed to it, get an accountability partner. A friend of mine who is having a REALLY stressful year committed to work out after school 2 days a week with another teacher. They hold each other accountable and she always feels so much better after.

Say no – Often

Did you hear that? Let me repeat…It’s time to start saying no. Here are my rules…If it doesn’t directly benefit my students, I say no. Does it impact my teaching or classroom? If not. Nope. If it doesn’t bring me joy, I SAY NO.

Come up with your own rules to follow. Then, before saying yes to anything, run through your statement. If you don’t have a yes, say no.

You will be amazed at how much better you’ll feel when you follow this. Because when you do, you will be less frustrated, only focus on what you love and what’s important…and you will save a ton of time.

You’ll be a better teacher for it…and human.

Take your own advice

Why don’t we ever take our own advice?!? I mean, we ARE the best advice-givers, right?

If your BFF was going through this, take a moment to think about what you would tell her to do. Next, get out a piece of paper. Like Right now, I’ll wait. Now, make a list of 10 things she could do. Give her 5 things she can accomplish right away and get quick results. Then, suggest 5 more things she can start implementing.

Guess what? You’ve just made your own plan! Take action. STAT. Start today, at the top of your list with the 5 things you can do right away. Start with Monday and implement one, then one on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and by Friday you will feel so much better!

Dear Teacher: If You Are Burned Out And Want To Quit…Let’s Talk