13 things I wish I knew before my first year of teaching

13 things I wish I knew before my first year of teaching

by | Apr 29, 2022 | Teacher Tips & Hacks

13 things I wish I knew before my first year of teaching

Being a beginning teacher is hard. There are so many things I didn’t feel prepared for and so many things I wish I knew before my first year of teaching. While my university degree covered educational theory like Piaget and Vygotsky, it failed to prepare me for the real day to day struggles of a teacher. 

Here is a list of 13 things I wish I knew before my first year of teaching.

What I wish I knew my first year of teaching:

first year of teaching

Disclaimer: This blog post, ’13 things I wish I knew before my first year of teaching’, may contain affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases. This is of no extra cost to you and it helps me to continue writing awesome content for you! Read full disclaimer here. Easy lunch ideas for teachers with recipes.

Survive teacher burnout

13 Things I wish I knew

before my first year of teaching

1. Taking a day off is more work than going to work sick

This one sucks. And its 100% true. It is more work having to create, explain and leave lessons for a casual teacher to take when you are unwell. And when you are unwell the absolute last thing you feel like doing is trying to replan all your lessons for someone else to teach. 

No one warned me about this and I wish I had known before my first year of teaching so I could have been more prepared by having some easy to-go lessons on hand for these circumstances.

My advice –  put aside a few easy lessons that can be included at any point in your teaching and learning program when you are absent. Some of my favourites are:

  • Researching a famous scientist (or someone related to your subject)
  • Educational video with supporting questions
  • Textbook lesson 

 

2. There is no magical bookshelf with all the teaching resources

My very naive beginning teacher self thought that every school must have had a bookshelf that contained all the different worksheets, textbooks, resources and activities that teachers use daily. THIS IS NOT TRUE! 

Not only is it not true, but those activities and worksheets mentioned in the programs are also probably long lost by now. 

In my first year of teaching, the majority of my time was spent trying to work out how to teach the content and then trying to make or find the materials to go with it. 

If you are lucky you will end up in a faculty or team of teachers who are super generous in sharing their resources with you. If you are not then you will struggle to get through each day as you are left to find or make everything yourself. 

This is reality.

My advice – Don’t hesitate to spend money on buying ready-made resources.

I know this can be hard to hear, and as a beginning teacher, I did not want to part with my hard-earned money – because it was hard-earned. 

But reflecting now I wish I had spent a few dollars here and there on a worksheet or activity to give me a night off working from home.

Buy some resources to give you a head start in the topics you are teaching first term.

My favourite places for resources are:

What I wish I knew before my first year of teaching

3. You will waste many hours in meetings that could have been done in an email

This is a real pet peeve of mine actually. But it is true. You will sit in meetings and be so frustrated because you are drowning in marking and admin only to be stuck in a pointless meeting that could have been sent as an email.

Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about this. 

My advice – I would suggest taking in your laptop or notebook so at the very least you can be making to-do lists or writing down lesson ideas while you’re ‘listening’. 

 

4. You will spend more $ on stationary and class supplies than you will spend on yourself

I LOVE new stationery! I had no idea the amount of money I would spend in my first year of teaching getting myself ‘set up’ with pretty new gear and my classroom decorated.

My advice – don’t walk into Officeworks or Spotlight without a plan and a budget!

5. You will stay awake at night thinking about your students 

I definitely was not prepared for how emotionally involved I became with my students. I loved them. I truly loved them. Their many personalities, quirks and senses of humour. But this also meant that I cared about their problems and heartaches (of which there were many). This would often keep me up at night. 

I wasn’t prepared for this and I didn’t have the tools to be able to separate myself from the trials of my students. It almost broke me when I became a year advisor. I felt like I couldn’t save them all. But since then I have learned a lot. 

My advice – if you are a praying person then I suggest praying for your students at night and handing over their problems into the hands of God. 

If you’re not a praying person I suggest writing down the names of the students you are concerned about, folding up the paper and putting it away. This might sound silly but it will help you know you haven’t forgotten them while also allowing you to put their troubles aside for yourself. 

What I wish I knew before my first year of teaching

6. University does not prepare you for the real world of teaching

My university degree was very much a means to an end. Unfortunately, this seems to be quite common. 

While my degree was filled with educational theory, it did not prepare me for the day-to-day life of a teacher. I had very little experience in lesson planning, resource creating, writing assessment tasks, programming or even navigating difficult parent conversations and interviews. 

My first year of teaching was full on and I definitely felt like I was drowning at times.

My advice – if your school hasn’t already organised a mentor/teacher buddy for you then try to seek one out yourself. Partnering up with an experienced teacher who can help direct you and give you feedback will be such an invaluable resource for you. 

 

7. Not all other teachers will like you

Some teachers may find your youth or vibrancy intimidating. They may see you as a threat. They may see you as fresh meat to be taken advantage of.

I wish it wasn’t true. But in my experience, and in the experience of my other teacher friends, this is quite common. 

My advice – put your head down and stay in your own lane. Easier said than done, but try to focus on your own students and your own workload. Try to avoid anyone who drains more of your energy – you will need to save all the energy you can to get through your first year of teaching. 

 

8. You will be exhausted most of the time

Teaching is exhausting. The teaching workload is enormous. The emotional toll of the job is relentless. Fighting the many germs and diseases students bring to you will run you down. 

This is important to be aware of as it is essential that you carve out resting time in your week. 

My advice – In your first year of teaching it is important that you are protective of your rest time at all costs. If you decide that you won’t work on Saturdays then don’t let anything get in the way of that. If you decide you are not going to work after 5 pm on weekdays, then make sure you stick to that. 

This feels impossible at certain times in the term. But rather than adjusting how much rest time you have, you need to adjust your expectations of what you get done for work instead. 

9. You are as much an entertainer as you are a teacher

You cannot teach unless you have your students’ attention. 

This doesn’t mean you need to be a show pony as such, but trying to keep your students’ attention can often feel like more work than the actual teaching itself.

My advice – Try to keep explicit teaching sessions short and break them up with activities that allow movement and talking. 

What I wish I knew before my first year of teaching

10. It is ok to say no.

In my first year of teaching, I didn’t feel that I had any right to say no if something was asked of me. Especially by a superior. 

However, when you are in your first years of teaching it is actually imperative that you do say no. 

While your administrators and other teachers might see your energy and enthusiasm and want to capitalise on it, it’s important to say no to anything extra you are asked to do. 

If you say yes to the debating club, yes to organising the fundraising day or yes to running the school musical then you will burn out quickly and have less energy and time for your students. 

My advice – have an answer like this prepared: “Thank you so much for thinking of me for this opportunity. I would love to be considered for it in the future, however, this year my focus is on building my teaching skills and learning how to best support my students”.

 

11. It is ok to take a sick day (even if you aren’t “sick”)

In your first year of teaching, apart from the fact that you will probably end up sick from building your immune system to all the germs students bring into the classroom, you may also find yourself needing a “sick” day to recover from exhaustion. Because let’s be honest – you will be exhausted. Emotionally, intellectually and physically. 

An IT IS OK TO TAKE A SICK DAY.

Yes, as previously mentioned, it may feel like more work (see point #1 for my tips about that). 

But it is also important that you look after yourself and your mental health. 

My advice – take a sick day when you start to feel run down. Don’t wait until you feel like you are buried 6 ft under. 

 

12. You don’t need to grade everything

Oh, how I wish I knew this before my first year of teaching! I felt so much pressure to set and mark homework and make sure every little class activity had been checked over. This is not necessary! Informal assessment can take many forms and does not always require marking. 

My advice – don’t set homework unless you are required to. If you are, then make it easy short tasks. Only pick a few key pieces of work to mark throughout a term to keep your workload manageable. 

 

13. Your students will remember the way you make them feel – not what you teach them

Your relationship with your students will be more important than the content you teach. Your students will remember the way you treated them and the way you made them feel. 

My advice – invest in building positive relationships with your students early on. Try to take the opportunity to chat with students during class time, out on the playground, and at sport or extracurricular activities you might be involved in. 

What I wish I knew before my first year of teaching

Conclusion

Teaching is a difficult profession. But it can be made easier if you are well prepared for the day-to-day life of a teacher. I hope these 13 things I wish I knew before my first year of teaching have been helpful for you as you prepare to start your teaching career. 

You may also enjoy reading my blog post 33 top tips for beginning teachers.

Are you a teacher?

What are some of the things you wish you knew before your first year of teaching?

Please comment and let us know!

What I wish I knew before my first year of teaching.

Written by Katrina

Katrina Harte is a multi-award winning educator from Sydney, Australia who specialises in creating resources that support teachers and engage students.

Easy lunch ideas for teachers

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Digital escape rooms – 9 reasons to love them

Digital escape rooms – 9 reasons to love them

by | Apr 20, 2022 | Lesson Ideas

Digital escape rooms – 9 reasons to love them

It can be hard to keep students engaged in the classroom, especially when it becomes time for revision. Digital escape rooms are an excellent tool that can be used in multiple learning situations.

In this blog post, I will introduce you to what digital escape rooms are, their benefits and why they are a great addition to your classroom.

digital escape rooms

Disclaimer: This blog post, ‘9 benefits of using digital escape rooms’, may contain affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases. This is of no extra cost to you and it helps me to continue writing awesome content for you! Read full disclaimer here. 

Survive teacher burnout

What are digital escape rooms?

Digital escape rooms involve the solving of problems to unlock digital locks in an attempt to ‘escape’. 

They usually start with a scenario and an initial task. Once that task is solved it provides the key (usually a code or number) to get to the next task. This continues until the last task or puzzle is solved and students are able to ‘escape’.

Often digital escape rooms are set up in form such as a Google Form. Each task is presented individually and a specific code needs to be entered correctly in order to reveal the next task. 

 

Why use digital escape rooms?

Student benefits

1. Digital escape rooms promote collaboration

For any teacher, the sound of engaged excitement and chatter is music to the ears. A word of warning – this can get loud during digital escape rooms! Students love to work together so they can get through each challenge. For competitive classes, I also recommend setting up a timer at the front of the room so students can race. 

2. Digital escape rooms promote problem-solving and critical and creative thinking

The tasks provided are usually varied. Some may appear like normal task cards, while others involve a little more problem-solving or critical and creative thinking. 

3. Digital escape rooms are fun and engaging

Digital escape rooms are fun! Students are engaged because they love to be challenged by the scenario. They love the new and different format of the lesson. They enjoy working with their peers as they learn.

digital escape rooms lab equipment
digital escape rooms classification
digital escape rooms rock cycle

Teacher benefits

4. No marking

Why leave the best till last? Any activity that means no marking has my vote! 

In digital escape rooms, students need to enter the correct answer before they can move on. This means it is automatically marked as they go. If they get the answer wrong they know to go back and check their work. 

5. Full teacher answers included 

Just in case students are struggling, teacher answers can be helpful to guide them in the right direction. Make sure if you are purchasing digital escape rooms that teacher answers are provided for this exact situation. Sometimes the difference of a capital letter or space can make all the difference in a digital form. 

6. Cheap 

With no need to buy locks or materials all you need to pay for is the escape room activity itself. Usually around $4 – 8 these are great value!

7. No prep

Any resource that doesn’t require me to do more work or preparation is an absolute win! Digital escape rooms generally only require that you share a link or access to students and the rest is done for you.

8. Can be used each year

Digital escape rooms can be used year after year, or class after class. 

9. It can be used in a wide range of environments

Being digital, these activities are highly versatile and can be used in any learning environment with internet access. This includes the classroom, online learning, homeschooling and distance education.

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    Digital escape rooms vs normal escape rooms

    Normal escape rooms are similar in that they have a scenario, task cards, a way to get out and escape. It is usually the way to get out that is the difference. These are generally some kind of physical lock or key that unlocks a box or clue. 

    Students love both kinds of escape rooms. However, I prefer digital ones. Why?

    1. They are cheaper

    The first time I went about setting up a hands-on digital escape room I severely underestimated the cost involved in buying the different locks and keys and equipment. Even to do one with only 6 task cards, that means 5 different “locks” for each group participating. In a class size of 28+ students that is a lot of materials and a big expense. 

    To buy a decent digital escape room you’re looking at around $4 – 8. These escape rooms can be used by every group and can be used again and again each year or class. This is a much more affordable option.

     

    2. They are less preparation

    The preparation involved in setting up a hands-on escape room is intense. It isn’t as simple as printing the task cards. You need to think about how each task will be unlocked, set up the materials in the specific order for each group, and think about how each group will move around the classroom. 

    Digital escape rooms are (generally) no or little prep. For those I create, a link is shared with the students and away they go!

     

    3. They can be used in a wider variety of situations

    Digital escape rooms can be used for online learning, homeschooling, classroom or distance education situations. They are so versatile and don’t require teacher set-up. 

     

    Things to look for when purchasing Digital Escape Rooms:

    1. What you need to make it work

    Is it just internet required? Do students need to log into a particular program or site? Do you need particular software on your devices? 

    2. Full teacher answers 

    You want to make sure that full teacher answers are included in case there are any issues with digital technology. This makes troubleshooting easier and also helps you feel prepared for the lesson.

    3. Cost

    Different teachers will have different budgets. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a digital escape room is just one lesson. An awesome lesson! But still just one. For me, I wouldn’t want to spend over $5 for one lesson. Knowing how many hours of preparation go into creating just one digital escape room I definitely believe up to $8 is very reasonable. But being on the teacher side of this too I also know you will have other lessons and topics you may need to buy resources for. 

    4. Content

    Make sure the content is suitable for your class topic and grade level. While the product should have this clearly stated in the product description, once purchased you should also go through the answers and tasks and check that you have covered all parts. Don’t fret if there is one term or section you haven’t covered. You can either cover it in a lesson leading up to the digital escape room, or you can choose to provide the students with the answer for that part. 

    Where can they be purchased?

    A quick Google search brings up a lot of places you can find digital escape rooms. Pinterest is also a great place to look for escape rooms for a particular topic. 

    My science digital escape rooms, and other high quality options for various subjects, can be found on Teachers Pay Teachers or Amped Up Learning. 

    Conclusion

    Digital escape rooms are an excellent tool to use in any learning environment. 

    Have you used digital escape rooms before? Let us know what you thought in the comments below!

    Written by Katrina

    Katrina Harte is a multi-award winning educator from Sydney, Australia who specialises in creating resources that support teachers and engage students.

    how to survive teacher burnout

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    33 easy lunch ideas for teachers (with links to recipes)

    33 easy lunch ideas for teachers (with links to recipes)

    by | Apr 14, 2022 | Wellbeing

    33 easy lunch ideas for teachers (with links to recipes)

    Want 33 easy lunch ideas for teachers? This list has them all! Easy, nutritious and delicious recipes so that you can enjoy variety for your lunches at school with minimal prep.

    33 easy lunch ideas for teachers

    Disclaimer: This blog post, ’33 easy lunch ideas for teachers (with links to recipes)’, may contain affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases. This is of no extra cost to you and it helps me to continue writing awesome content for you! Read full disclaimer here. Easy lunch ideas for teachers with recipes.

    Survive teacher burnout

    Have you ever noticed that the last period of the day is the worst? As a middle school teacher, I can safely say that this is a fact. What makes it worst? When I am hangry. There is nothing that affects my patience and temper like being hungry. 

    Eating a healthy lunch is so important for teachers to maintain energy and make it through the day. But as the term goes on it can be hard to find the energy to plan and make good choices. This blog post has been compiled to include nutritious, delicious and easy lunch ideas for teachers so that you can enjoy variety for your lunches at school. 

    Pick and choose what you like. Make a weekly meal plan. Meal prep. Enjoy!

    Easy lunch ideas for teachers

    Easy lunch ideas for teachers:

    Sandwiches and wraps (not the boring kind)

    1. Creamy Mediterranean chicken wrap

    This Creamy Mediterranean Chicken Wrap is packed with all of that amazing goodness, including deliciously seasoned chicken, hummus, cucumbers, pickles, delectably creamy tzatziki sauce, and more! Then it’s all wrapped up to take on the go!

    2. Taco Quesadillas

    These Taco Quesadillas are so easy to make and perfect for lunch. Kids and adults love it.

    3. Cucumber and cream cheese sandwich rolls

    Only three ingredients for these easy to make and eat rolled sandwiches!

    4. Ham & Cheese Roll-Ups

    Need a quick and delicious lunch you could also give your kids? Make easy Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups! Sometimes called ham and cheese pinwheels, these cold appetizers are made with 5 simple ingredients and are packed with flavour thanks to cream cheese spiked with ranch seasoning.

    5. Buffalo tahini quinoa & rice wraps

    These gluten-free and vegan wraps are full of flavour and perfect for lunch – even if you have to eat them while also on playground duty. 

    6. Veggie Wrap

    Veggie wraps are a quick and easy dish made with minimal ingredients and effort. It is a perfect grab-and-go lunch.

    Easy lunch ideas for teachers

    Easy lunch ideas for teachers:

    Salads (also not the boring kind)

     

    7. Keto Taco Salad

    An easy keto taco salad with ground beef features fresh greens topped with everything you love about a taco. It’s a super tasty and satisfying low carb salad the whole family will love! Make it for dinner and extra for lunch the next day!

    8. Mediterranean Chickpea & Tuna Salad

    An easy, simple, nutritious and delicious Mediterranean recipe for chickpea & tuna salad that comes together in just 10 minutes! Easy enough to prep at school or the morning of work.

    9. Turkish Bulgar Salad

    Turkish Bulgur Salad is refreshing, spicy, tangy and loaded with herbs. Easy to make and keeps you full for a long time.

    10. Mexican Tuna Salad

    This Mexican Tuna Salad is perfect for easy and healthy meal prep! There’s no cooking involved, so it’s super quick and easy to make, plus it’s bursting with bright Mexican inspired flavour. And because it’s got lean protein, lots of veggies, and good fat, it’s a complete healthy meal!

     

    11. Curried chicken and papaya salad

    This looks absolutely divine and would be so good to look forward to eat for lunch! 

     

    12. Four bean salad

    This quick and easy four bean salad is simple and delicious. With a tangy vinaigrette it’s perfect to make ahead for a quick and easy lunch. Tuck in!

    13. Salad in a jar

    This delicious chef salad in a jar recipe is easy to make for your lunch and can be prepared a few days in advance.

    14. Blueberry quinoa salad

    This blueberry quinoa salad is a fun, flavourful and healthy lunch idea, and so easy to put together.

    15. Taco salad with salsa ranch dressing

    The perfect combination of tacos and salad loaded with ground beef, vegetables, and creamy salsa.

     

    16. Spicy Kani Salad

    Spicy Kani Salad is a rich umami flavored salad featuring imitation crab, crunchy cucumbers, crispy panko, and spicy Kewpie mayo. Enjoy this 10-minute, flavor-packed as an appetizer or side for any Japanese meal.

    Easy lunch ideas for teachers

    33 easy lunch ideas for teachers (1)

    Easy lunch ideas for teachers:

    Low prep lunches

    17. Dill tuna salad cucumber boats

    Add a little fun and dill pickle flavour to your tuna salad with these Dill Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats! This healthy gluten-free recipe is one that’s ready in just minutes and will be a new fast and easy lunch!

     

    18. Protein snack pack

    Protein Snack Packs filled with hard-boiled eggs, almonds, hummus, and crunchy veggies. An easy and delicious lunchtime meal-prep solution perfect for any protein lover, these fantastic little protein snack packs are perfect for school lunches, post-workout snacks, or picnics in the park.

     

    19. Chickpea Quinoa Burgers

    This insanely delicious Chickpea Quinoa Burgers recipe is absolutely packed with plant-based protein and is super easy to prepare.

    20. Zucchini pizza boats

    Who needs a pizza crust when you can whip up these delicious zucchini pizza boats instead? Add your favourite toppings for a satisfying meal that’s packed with healthy veggies!

    21. Vegan Sushi Cupcakes

    If you like sushi and cupcakes, these colourful sushi cupcakes should be your cup(cake) of tea. They’re vegan, gluten-free, and super cute. These could easily be prepped the night before and could even be eaten while on playground duty. 

    Easy lunch ideas for teachers

    Easy lunch ideas for teachers: 

    Dinner leftovers

    This is my favourite way to prep for lunches. If I’m already cooking a meal for dinner, I might as well cook extra for lunch the next day. 

    22. Mushroom stir fry with bell pepper

    Stirfrys are an easy mid-week dinner option that also reheats really well for lunch the next day. 

    This vegetarian option is wholesome and nutritious to help curb those sugar cravings and get you through the day. 

     

    23. Chicken Alfredo

    So simple yet so delicious, this Chicken Alfredo is a mushroom cream sauce dish that’s excellent for preparing ahead of time. This is also easy to prep in bulk for the week.

     

    24. Salmon Patties with Cornmeal

    These Salmon Patties are so good that no one would think they took only 30 minutes to prep! A crispy, buttery side with plenty of protein to keep you satiated throughout the day. Make them for dinner the night before or prep them on the weekend.

     

    25. Almond Flour Crusted Chicken Tenders With Creamy Onion Sauce 

    Almond flour makes the best low carb crust for these chicken cutlets. They taste great as left-overs to go for lunch as well.

     

    26. Easy crockpot pulled pork

    Make this easy slow cooker pulled pork for dinner, and have sandwiches at the ready all week! The meat can also be easily repurposed into tacos and other quick meals.

     

    27. Trader Joe’s Taco Skillet

    This one-pan meal will hit all the right places. Only thing better? Reheating for lunch the next day!

    28. Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes

    These baked sweet potatoes are made quickly in the Air fryer and are a perfect low prep meal for lunch. 

     

    29. Spicy pesto parmesan slow cooker minestrone

    A little chopping and then the slow cooker does the work. Perfect for reheated lunches, this Spicy Pesto Parmesan Minestrone is delicious.

     

    30. Quinoa vegetable soup

    This quinoa vegetable soup is light, flavourful and packed full of healthy ingredients. Easy to make, it is perfect for a warming lunch idea. Soups are also great for freezing! Make a big batch and save some in portioned containers in the freezer for when you need to grab something quickly. 

     

    31. One-pot pesto pasta

    Only 3 ingredients and 30 minutes are needed for this one-pot pesto pasta. Doubles and triples easily! Perfect for a weekday meal or quick meal prep.

     

    32. Air fryer frozen chicken patties

    These air fryer frozen chicken patties are deliciously crunchy, crispy, and super easy to make! This chicken patty recipe is a great addition to your burgers, sandwiches, to a wrap, or served on its own. Guaranteed to be the best frozen chicken patties you’ll ever have.

     

    33. Vegan Green Lentil Burger Patties

    It’s spicy, crispy and delicious, two servings of green lentil burger patties can give you up to 12g of protein.

    Easy lunch ideas for teachers

    trader joes skillet

    Conclusion

    Lunch doesn’t have to be boring! Make it exciting so you actually make time to eat it. Make it healthy so it gives you energy instead of making you feel lethargic. Think ahead so you can plan your dinners and lunches making preparation easier and quicker. 

    Let me know if you try any of these easy lunch ideas for teachers!

    Comment below with your own favourite lunch ideas for teachers!

    Easy lunch ideas for teachers

    Written by Katrina

    Katrina Harte is a multi-award winning educator from Sydney, Australia who specialises in creating resources that support teachers and engage students.

    Easy lunch ideas for teachers

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    How to survive teacher burnout: 10 top tips

    How to survive teacher burnout: 10 top tips

    by | Apr 5, 2022 | Wellbeing

    How to survive teacher burnout: 10 top tips

    Statistics are showing that teachers are increasingly showing signs of high stress and burnout. While these numbers vary depending on the country and even various states within each country, the data shows the same thing – teachers are burning out. 

    But I don’t want to dwell on those numbers. What I want to dwell on is what to do if you are burnt out. 

    How do you come out the other side? 

    In this blog post, I am going to give you 10 tips for how to survive teacher burnout so that you can enjoy teaching again. 

    So grab a coffee, sit back and take a few minutes for yourself while we navigate this situation together. 

    How to survive teacher burnout

    how to survive teacher burnout

    Disclaimer: This blog post, ‘How to survive teacher burnout: 10 top tips’, may contain affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases. This is of no extra cost to you and it helps me to continue writing awesome content for you! Read full disclaimer here. 

    Survive teacher burnout

    This blog post is part 3 of my series on teacher burnout. If you missed the first two read them here:

    1. 10 useful tips for avoiding teacher burnout
    2. 7 clear signs of teacher burnout

    best ways to survive teacher burnout

    Teacher burnout series part 3

    How to survive teacher burnout: 10 top tips

      I’ve had teacher burnout multiple times and actually, each time has felt different. The factors that contributed to my burning out were different, the people around me were different, and my home life was different. 

      But each time I have come out the other side and returned to enjoy the classroom. 

      And each time I have learned new tips and tools in order to help me survive teacher burnout. 

      I am excited to share these with you in the hope that they might help you too. 

      1. Find a teacher buddy 

      Finding someone at work you can confide in and let your guard down with is so important. It provides you with a safe space and a meaningful connection that can help you ride out the storm. 

      If you don’t feel that you can connect with someone at your school then try and find a teacher at another school who will understand what you’re going through. 

      Feeling that you have someone to talk to who actually gets it is key to avoiding burnout, but also getting through it. 

       

      2. Find perspective 

      Sometimes as teachers we can get so caught up in our own workload and stresses that we can lose perspective. 

      There are three things I find really helpful when this happens:

           i) Writing a list of things you cannot change and things you can change

      I often feel frustrated by the things other people do or don’t do which affect me and my job. Particularly as a person who holds very high expectations of myself and who likes to be efficient, this can really get me down. 

      Writing a list of the things I cannot change alongside a list of things I can, helps me to let go (a bit) of those things that are out of my control.

       

           ii) Writing a list of the things I am grateful for 

      It can be easy to forget all the amazing blessings we have in our lives when we are feeling teacher burnout. Seeing it on paper can help us to refocus our energy and remember that our work is not the be-all and end-all (even though it does often feel that way). 

       

           iii) Spending time praying for those who are in worse positions

      You may not be the praying type, but even just spending time in thought for those who are going through more intense struggles in life can help provide some perspective. 

      how to survive teacher burnout

      3. Make sleep a priority 

      If you have teacher burnout then you are probably also noticing your sleep is taking a hit.

      Maybe it is that you are not getting enough of it, or that the quality of your sleep is subpar. 

      Try to make this a priority. I know from experience that this can be hard when the marking is piling up and your work stresses are occupying a lot of your mind. 

      For now, forget marking classwork or homework and only mark formal tasks that you have to. Take a break from the rest. You’ve earned it. 

      Also I think it’s important at this point to tell you not to feel guilty. You are trying to survive teacher burnout. This is not the time to be setting extra work for yourself or feeling guilty for not marking every thing you do. 

      how to survive teacher burnout

      surviving teacher burnout

      how to survive teacher burnout

      4. Purchase ready to go lessons 

      Is it worth spending $5 on a resource that is ready to go to save you hours of prep time? YES! Just do it. 

      Give yourself permission to take a break. $5 is probably less than you might spend at Starbucks and if it allows you to go to sleep at a reasonable time, or just give you some headspace back from lesson prepping then it is way more valuable! 

      My favourite sites to go to for decent no-prep resources are:

       

      5. Ask for help / see a counsellor 

      Teacher burnout can lead to serious health issues such as depression. The weight of feeling that we have let our students down is soul-crushing and people in other professions don’t always understand. 

      It is important for you to seek professional help if you think it may be a little more than burnout. 

      Even if you think it is burnout it is still worth seeing someone if you are able to. They may be able to provide you with really practical ways to get out the other side and avoid teacher burnout in the future.

       

      6. Practice escapism

      I realise this seems counterintuitive when you are feeling under the pump with a never-ending to-do list. But honestly taking a much-needed break can help you be more productive when you do go back to it. 

      Watch a good movie, read an engaging novel, get out of the house and go somewhere new. 

      Planning a holiday for when you have a break can also be a great way to do this. It allows you to think about somewhere new and exciting while also having the holiday to look forward to.

      10 tips for avoiding teacher burnout 

      7. Reset your routine 

      Shocking your body by shaking up your routine can help you to get through the burnout stage. 

      Instead of staying at work till 6 pm, leave at 3 pm and go for a walk or coffee. Then come back to finish your work at 6 pm. A little change like this could give you a little more fuel in the tank. 

       

      8. Take some time off

      If this option is available to you (both financially and with your school) then take it! 

      Taking a term off may allow you to recharge enough that you can stay in the profession and survive teacher burnout.

      If you cannot negotiate this time off, or you don’t want to take this time off, the next best thing is to make sure you utilise sick days.  Don’t be afraid to take them. These can give you a little reprieve during your week and might be enough to help you get to the end of term. 

      If you are burnt out, then it is likely your immune system is low too. Make sure you take your sick days to rest before you end up sick. 

       

      9. Change your loading

      If you are working full time right now, then maybe it is worth considering dropping back to a 0.8 load to give you some more breathing space.  

      This obviously requires some financial considerations too, however, it is worth considering in order to save your mental health. This doesn’t have to be forever. But maybe just a season of part-time work. 

       

      10. Look for other opportunities

      They say that change is as good as a holiday! Perhaps a change of scenery will help you to start fresh. 

      There may be some contributing factors at your current workplace that you aren’t even aware of. A change in school may help to give you a fresh start and a leg up out of burnout. 

      Srviving teacher burnout – 10 top tips

      Conclusion

      It is important that you know you are not alone. This profession is hard and often relentless. These 10 tips for how to survive teacher burnout are designed to give you some ideas on how you can look after yourself as a teacher and find longevity in the profession. 

      Have you managed to survive teacher burnout? Please drop them in the comments below!

      Survive teacher burnout

      Written by Katrina

      Katrina Harte is a multi-award winning educator from Sydney, Australia who specialises in creating resources that support teachers and engage students.

      how to survive teacher burnout

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      7 clear signs of teacher burnout

      7 clear signs of teacher burnout

      by | Mar 27, 2022 | Wellbeing

      7 clear signs of teacher burnout

      Teacher burnout is so prevalent at this time in history and it is no surprise why. But how do you know if you have it? How do you know if you’re actually burnt out or whether you’re just tired or a little run down? 

      I’ve been there. I’ve had teacher burnout. Unfortunately I trudged through it for a long time before I recognised what it was. Here are some of the signs I wished I’d been aware of and which I hope will help you recognise when you may be heading towards teacher burnout. 

      This post provides you with the 7 signs of teacher burnout to help you determine whether you are burnt out so that you can start taking steps to recover. 

      Note: This post is the second in a three part series. Click here if you missed part 1 – ‘10 useful tips for avoiding teacher burnout’.

      So, grab a coffee and a comfy chair while we help you find out if you are in fact burnt out. 

      7 signs of teacher burnout 

      signs of teacher burnout

      Disclaimer: This blog post, ‘7 clear signs of teacher burnout’, may contain affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases. This is of no extra cost to you and it helps me to continue writing awesome content for you! Read full disclaimer here. 

      clear signs of teacher burnout

      Teacher burnout series part 2

      7 Signs of teacher burnout

       

      I do want to preface this post by saying that teacher burnout is nothing to be ashamed of. It is not the fault of the teacher but rather the result of a broken system and a combination of pressures that are incomparable in any other career. The number of decisions that need to be made daily, the multiple relationships that need to be built and maintained, and the never ending ‘to-dos’ with compounding requests from administration.

      7 signs of teacher burnout (includes infographic) 

      signs of teacher burnout quote

      If you read this post and realise that you relate to most or all of the signs of teacher burnout, then don’t despair! The next post will give you some tips for what to do if you have teacher burnout. 

      So let’s start at the beginning. What are the signs of teacher burnout?

      You may be heading towards teacher burnout if: 

       

      1. You dread going to work

      When I say this, I don’t mean, it’s Sunday night and you wish you still had another day of the weekend. Even teachers who love their job still feel this! 

      What I am referring to is that heavy, sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach when you think about having to go to work. That feeling when your alarm goes off and you just want to pull the covers over your head. 

      If you feel dread towards your job as a whole then, even without reading the next signs of teacher burnout, I think it is fairly safe to say that you are burnt out. 

       

      2. You no longer find joy in teaching 

      From my conversations with colleagues it’s evident that most of us entered the profession with real hope of making a difference and, in the early years, found joy in our profession. 

      However, if you are feeling burnt out then it is likely that you are no longer finding joy in teaching. You are making it through each day, but you aren’t smiling like you used to or rejoicing with your students’ achievements. 

      For me, as a generally bright, bubbly and smiley person, this was a huge sign of burnout. 

      3. You lose patience with your students quickly

      This one was the kicker for me. I used to pride myself on being a very patient teacher. Before I even knew what happened I found myself losing my patience and getting frustrated with students over the smallest things. 

      Yes I was tired. Yes I was stressed. But suddenly I was taking that out on my students. 

      Even at peak times of stress I used to find reprieve when I was actually in the classroom doing what I love. But suddenly I found that this was no longer the case.

      4. You don’t participate in staff room discussion or collaborate with your peers

      Do you find yourself avoiding socialising with your peers? Are you just putting your head down and trying to get through the day on your own? 

      Sometimes as a survival technique we bunker down and try to isolate ourselves from others. This is counterproductive, but when we are burnt out our mind and body do things like this to conserve energy. 

       

      5. You don’t try to be creative or engaging in your lessons

      If you are burnt out, it is likely that you have stopped trying new things and trying to think of creative ways to keep your students engaged. Not because you don’t want to. But because you can’t. You’re using all of your energy and willpower to make it through the day and don’t have anything left to give in terms of your delivery of the content. 

      7 signs of teacher burnout infographic

      6. You have lost your sense of humour

      As a middle and high school teacher my sense of humour is a necessity! But when I was burnt out I no longer found myself laughing with my students or enjoying the banter. Instead I was getting frustrated and feeling that I was losing the once good connection I had with my students. 

      Having a sense of humour may not be a part of your teaching personality naturally. Is there a part of your teaching personality that you feel has changed recently? Perhaps it is the way you read aloud to your students that you notice you no longer care to put in funny voices and emphasis. Or perhaps it is even in your wardrobe that you have lost your sense of style. 

       

      7. You have stopped caring whether you’re letting your students down

      It is so often in our nature as teachers to always put our students first. It can hit us hard when we feel that we have let them down. I have felt this multiple times – even when I wasn’t burnt out. Teachers care so fully for their students and I believe that we put a lot of pressure on ourselves due to the meaningful connections we build with our students. 

      When I was heading towards burn out though I felt that I was letting my students down often. 

      When I was in the peak of my burn out I almost stopped caring that I was letting them down. I had nothing else to give.

       

      That hit hard. 

       

      Do you feel this way? That you are letting your students down often? Or you that actually you don’t even have the energy to care if you are anymore?7 signs of teacher burnout (includes infographic)

      Conclusion

      If you resonate with a few of the above signs of teacher burnout, then it is very possible that you are either heading towards, or have crashed straight into, burnout. 

      But hope is not lost!

      In my previous post I give 10 tips for avoiding teacher burnout, and in my next post I provide 10 things to do when you have teacher burnout.

      7 signs of teacher burnout (includes infographic)

      Do you have signs of teacher burnout? Comment below so we can support you!

      Have you experienced teacher burnout? Please comment below if you have any tips or suggestions for those who are currently feeling that way. 

      Don’t forget to connect with me on Instagram @theanimatedteacher

      Written by Katrina

      Katrina Harte is a multi-award winning educator from Sydney, Australia who specialises in creating resources that support teachers and engage students.

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