7 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) 

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