Teacher appreciation week 2023

A Poem

What If?

What if teachers, cherished professionals, they were seen,

With admiration, their worth acknowledged, and hearts keen?

What if their pay matched those of football’s grand stage?

A salary befitting their impact and wisdom, oh, the wage!

What if their value was truly understood,

Compensation reflecting their irreplaceable good?

Overtime recognized, rewarded for every extra hour,

For the dedication poured into each student, a mighty power.

What if the clock struck nine and five,

And within those hours, their passion did thrive?

No longer burdened by endless toil and strife,

But allowed to embrace a balanced, fulfilling life.

What if respect, like a blooming flower, always bloomed,

In every interaction, in every classroom?

A world where appreciation for teachers was known,

A testament to their efforts, a gratitude clearly shown.

What if the curriculum became a shared endeavor,

Teachers empowered to shape it, their expertise to treasure?

No longer confined by rigid standards, they’d soar,

Inspiring young minds with knowledge to explore.

What if fears of school shootings ceased to exist,

Teachers focused on nurturing, not targets to resist?

A sanctuary of safety, where growth could unfold,

A shield of protection, a haven, where all could be bold.

What if blame dissolved, like shadows in the light,

Teachers not burdened by accusations, their spirits taking flight?

Acknowledged for their guidance, not faulted for a child’s strife,

Liberated from the weight of another’s struggle, the cycle cut with a knife.

What if resources flowed abundantly, an unending stream,

No teacher left wanting, no dream too extreme?

Equipped to inspire, to ignite young hearts and minds,

With tools aplenty, creativity unbound, what treasures we’d find!

What if teachers were spared the burden of their own purse,

No longer forced to buy supplies, an unrewarded curse?

Funds freely provided, their pockets untouched,

A testament to their worth, to their value, so much.

But hold, pause, and ponder before this dream unfolds,

For teachers, they’re more than just facts to be told.

Their role as parents, as counselors, as guides,

Integral to their purpose, where compassion abides.

For a world without parenting, counseling, or care,

Would be a barren landscape, an existence unfair.

Teachers, the beacons, igniting futures so bright,

Their impact immeasurable, like stars in the night.

So let’s strive for a world where appreciation is rife,

Where teachers are respected, their value in life.

For in their tireless efforts, in their unwavering flame,

Lies the promise of a brighter future, a world forever changed.

Teacher appreciation week 2023

Teacher appreciation week 2023

Teacher appreciation week 2023:

The unappreciated Aspects of Teaching

1. What if teachers were treated as professionals?

Unfortunately, teachers are often not treated as professionals. They aren’t trusted to know what their class needs. They aren’t trusted by administrators to do the work they need to. They aren’t trusted by parents or the community to be experts in their field. While the saying ‘those who can’t do, teach’ is common, actually there are very few individuals who have the range of skills required to be a teacher. Many people think that because they went to school, they know what teachers do. But it is the behind-the-scenes aspect of the job that requires the most effort, patience, and work. 

In a world where teachers were treated as professionals, their expertise, dedication, and impact would be recognized and respected. They would receive the same level of esteem as other esteemed professions, such as doctors or lawyers. This recognition would elevate the status of teaching as a noble and essential profession, attracting talented individuals who are passionate about education.

Treating teachers as professionals would empower them to make informed decisions, contribute to educational policies, and collaborate with colleagues to improve teaching practices. This shift in perception would foster a culture of professionalism and excellence within the field of education.

2. What if teachers were paid the same as professional footballers?

I have a few friends who have or do currently play professional football. I have a high appreciation for their focused mindset, commitment to their training, and the toll it takes on their body. They bring immense value to society, not just via entertainment, but creating an environment that brings people together with a common interest.

Imagine a world where teachers were paid the same as professional footballers, reflecting the immense value they bring to society. By equalizing their salaries, we would acknowledge the pivotal role teachers play in shaping the future generation.

This equitable compensation would attract highly qualified individuals to pursue teaching as a career, resulting in a more competitive and skilled teaching force. Furthermore, it would demonstrate society’s genuine appreciation for the crucial work teachers do and provide them with the financial stability they deserve.

Teacher appreciation week 2023

3. What if teachers didn’t have to worry about school shootings?

As an Australian, my heart goes out to those living in other countries where school shootings are occuring. Apart from being completely devastating for those involved, it also brings a dark cloud over all schools, all students and all teachers. 

To go to work fearing your safety every day is not what teachers signed up for. Yes there are careers in which this is part of the expectation. Teaching is not and it shouldn’t be. There are teachers learning how to use a gun for their, and their students’ protection.

Time is spent thinking about how to block doors in an emergency lockdown and how to hide students away. While we need to have safety protocols in place, these real threats of a school shooting heighten anxiety in teachers and I believe I speak for all when I say that we all wish that this wasn’t a reality teachers have to face.

Teacher appreciation week 2023

Teacher appreciation week 2023 gift ideas

4. What if teachers didn’t get blamed for students’ attitude / performance / achievement:

In a few decades, the focus on student achievement has dramatically shifted. 

It used to be that if the student wasn’t performing, parents would blame the student for not completing all homework or paying full attention in class. 

However, these days it is normal for parents to put the blame onto the teacher. That it is the teacher’s fault if a student isn’t paying attention, completing homework or handing in tasks on time. 

In a world where teachers weren’t unfairly blamed for students’ attitude, performance, or achievement, a more collaborative and supportive atmosphere would prevail. Recognizing that education is a shared responsibility involving multiple stakeholders, including parents, students, and the broader community, would foster a more productive partnership. 

Teachers would be acknowledged for their efforts in guiding and inspiring students, while also understanding that various factors contribute to a student’s overall development. By shifting from blame to cooperation, teachers can focus on empowering students and providing the necessary support for their success.

5. What if teachers had access to all the resources they needed? 

I am very very fortunate to work in a school where we are well-resourced. However, I am acutely aware that this is not the norm. So many teachers are teaching in schools where there are limited resources to the point where they dip into their own pockets to provide students with the educational experience they deserve. From textbooks to decorations to even providing pens and paper, teachers will always go above and beyond. 

But they shouldn’t have to. 

In a world where all teachers had access to the resources they needed, educational equity and quality would be enhanced. By providing adequate resources and alleviating the financial strain, teachers could focus on enhancing their instructional approaches, creating engaging lessons, and fostering a supportive learning environment. 

Access to resources would level the playing field, allowing all students to benefit from an enriching learning experience regardless of their background or location. By investing in teachers’ access to resources, society invests in the future of education, ensuring that every student has an equal opportunity to thrive.

6. What if teachers stopped parenting, counselling… caring?

Teachers are teachers because they care. They want the best for their students and their care goes beyond any curriculum. They care for each student as a whole person. From their physical needs (many a time a teacher has provided lunch or food for those who have come without), to their social needs, to their emotional needs and of course their educational needs. 

In a world where teachers stopped parenting, counselling, and caring, the educational ecosystem would suffer greatly. These roles are inherent to a teacher’s profession, as they not only provide academic instruction but also act as mentors and nurturers for their students. 

Counselling and caring are fundamental aspects of building strong relationships, fostering emotional well-being, and addressing students’ diverse needs. Removing these roles would lead to a loss of trust, connection, and the essential support systems that contribute to students’ growth and success. Teachers’ ability to provide holistic support is vital for student development, and these aspects should be celebrated and supported rather than eliminated.

But as teachers burnout, their capacity for providing this level of care starts to wane. 

If you’re struggling with teacher burnout you might like my blog series on this topic:

10 Useful tips for avoiding teacher burnout

7 clear signs of teacher burnout

How to survive teacher burnout

Teacher appreciation week 2023

Teacher appreciation week 2023 gift ideas

7. What if teachers had more say in the curriculum they taught?

Who knows a students’ educational needs better than their teacher? 

That’s right. No one. 

Empowering teachers with a greater say in the curriculum they teach would enhance the educational experience for students. 

Teachers are on the front lines, understanding the unique needs and interests of their students. Allowing them to have input in curriculum design and development would enable them to tailor lessons to suit students’ diverse learning styles, making education more engaging, relevant, and impactful. 

Teacher involvement in curriculum decisions would foster a sense of ownership and increase their motivation and investment in the teaching-learning process.

8. What if teachers only worked 9-5?

It is just assumed that even though a teachers salary is based on a 9-5 day, that teachers will still take their work home with them. And they have to! It is impossible to complete all the tasks required of them during their “work” hours while they have a class of 30 students in front of them. 

Establishing a work-life balance for teachers by adhering to regular working hours would promote their well-being and allow for personal growth and rejuvenation. With defined working hours, teachers would have time to engage in self-care, pursue hobbies, and spend quality time with their families. This balance is essential to prevent burnout and ensure that teachers are energized and fully present in the classroom.

By respecting their personal time, teachers would have the opportunity to recharge, resulting in increased job satisfaction and overall effectiveness in their roles.

In addition to this, compensating teachers for overtime work would acknowledge the countless additional hours they dedicate to their students and their profession. Overtime pay would recognize the extensive time spent preparing lessons, grading assignments, and engaging in professional development activities outside regular working hours. 

Providing fair remuneration for this extra effort would incentivise teachers to continue going above and beyond, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and dedication.

Teacher appreciation week 2023

Conclusion

There are many aspects of teaching which are unappreciated and take their toll on teachers. 

You are superstars. You change lives. You change the future. 

It is more than just a shame that this is often not recognised or rewarded appropriately. 

But keep your head high because I see you.

And together I hope we can make a difference and bring to light some of these important issues for teachers.

Comment with your ‘what if’ below!

Enjoy Teacher Appreciation Week 2023!

Teacher appreciation week 2023

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

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

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

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

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:

• Teachers Pay Teachers
• Amped Up Learning
• TimeSavers for Teachers

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

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) 

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

Teacher burnout series part 1: 

10 tips for avoiding teacher burnout 

Unfortunately the term ‘burnout’ commonly follows the term ‘teacher’ these days, and we don’t have to wonder why. The constant additions to our job roles, changing expectations, never-ending administration and parent demands have stripped us of the joy of just teaching. However, hope is not lost! There are things we can do to look after ourselves when avoiding teacher burnout.

Here are 10 tips for avoiding teacher burnout:Here Avoiding teacher burnout tips

1. Set clear boundaries

It is important to set boundaries for yourself and your workload when avoiding teacher burnout. A lot of teachers baulk at this thinking ‘I just can’t possibly work within school hours or I won’t get my job done’. I totally get this. I’m not suggesting you won’t only work until 3pm every day. I am saying you need to decide on a time of day to stop working that allows you to have down time and family time too. 

For me, I like to spend the afternoon with my family. So I don’t work between 4-7. However, after my girls are in bed I often do some work. This works for me and my family.

What to do when it looks like you wont finish by that time?

• Forgo exciting lessons. Plan an easy lesson or textbook based lesson.
• Buy a lesson. Buy a no prep or print and go resource. Sometimes it is worth spending $4 on a complete lesson to save your own mental health!
• Say no. If things are piling up and someone asks for you to do something extra or within a short time frame, say no. 
• If it’s admin – email your administration head and tell them you won’t meet the deadline this time. It isn’t ideal, but it happens. It is good to be upfront and honest about it.

2. Ask for help when you need it

Don’t wait! If you are struggling or need support from your head teacher or admin then don’t wait until you’re already snowed under. Ask them for help to get on top of it sooner.

This can be a hard thing to do, particularly if you don’t feel you have their support. Try to go into the meeting with a couple of solutions or ideas that may help make your workload more manageable (e.g. moving a deadline back a little). It can give your meeting with admin more direction and help it be solutions focussed.

3. Batch prep where you can

I am a big fan of batching my work processes wherever I can to save time and mental exhaustion. Batch your lesson prep, photocopying, report writing, and marking. This saves time in the long run and makes your processes more streamlined. 

4. Plan easy lessons when you start to feel overloaded

I mentioned this earlier when setting boundaries. It is ok if not all of your lessons are whizz bang exciting. To help yourself stay on top of your own workload and keep your sanity, only plan within your own limitations. If that means you only have the capacity to plan one “exciting” lesson a week, then that’s great! If you can do more, that’s also great. Limiting your own expectations allows you to do this without getting to a point where none of your lessons are exciting.

5. Take your sick days

When you are feeling overwhelmed and run down then you are a beacon for attracting all kinds of illness. Take your sick days when you are starting to feel run down – not after you have completely crashed. Get on top of it early. If your body is telling you to rest then you need to rest. If you don’t then you will end up having to take weeks off rather than just a day or two. And we all know that planning weeks of cover lessons is no fun for anyone. 

6. Save time everywhere you can 

Time is always going to be a factor when talking about avoiding teacher burnout. There isn’t enough of it and probably never will be. So what can we do? We can optimise the time we do have. From lesson planning to communication to administration, there are lots of small changes we can make that will save us hours of time in the long run.  Read my 49 time saving hacks for teachers. 

10 tips for avoiding teacher burnout 

7. Be organised and work ahead if you have the opportunity

I try to be organised enough that I am working a week ahead of my lessons. But there are definitely times where I end up barely a day ahead! Despite this, planning further ahead allows me to feel less stressed and when other things pop up I have the time to adjust. 

8. Get a hobby

Hobbies have immeasurable value for looking after your mental health, providing an escape from work and therefore, avoiding teacher burnout. Whether it be woodworking, knitting, painting or surfing, if it is something that distracts your mind from your long to do list for a while then it’s doing its job! 

9. Take your lunch breaks

Allowing yourself a little reprieve in the middle of the day to nourish your body and clear your head is important for longevity. I know a lot of our lunch breaks actually aren’t breaks with duties and student interruptions. If you can, use an ‘unavailable’ sign during lunch to try and limit unnecessary interruptions.

10. Try to fall back in love with teaching again 

If you are feeling burnt out then it’s likely you are also feeling as though you are falling out of love with the profession you once adored. Read my blog post here on how to love teaching again to re-ignite that teaching spark. 

tips for avoiding teacher burnout

Conclusion

It is important that you know you are not alone. This profession is hard and often relentless. These 10 tips for avoiding 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. 

Avoiding teacher burnout