Week 2- 5 Tips for Avoiding Teacher Burnout

Teaching can often times be stressful between state testing, constant changes to curriculum, behavioral issues amongst students and perhaps worrying about those students who do not have love or role models they should at home. In order to prevent a teacher “burnout” it is important that they learn to deal with these internal and external stresses. The Edutopia blog entitled “5 Tips for Avoiding Teacher Burnout” written by Mary Beth Hertz discusses important factors that cause teacher burnouts and tips to prevent them.

First, it is important to maintain your “other” life. Sometimes we as teachers can get so wrapped up in being the best teacher we can be which may entail many hours of research, preparation, grading and sleepless nights. The blog suggests to spending “some time when you are not thinking about the classroom and stay connected to your support group of friends and family”

Another good point this blog discussed was nurturing peer connections. Many teachers feel isolated and alone when they are not given the opportunity to work with their colleagues. At times teachers are spread thin often to do other duties outside of the classroom. Administration should build time within the week for teachers to connect, understand what other teachers are experiencing, and share their ideas with one another. “Feeling part of a team, knowing what others are doing in their classrooms, and seeing how your work fits into the bigger picture is motivating, inspiring increases feeling of self-worth” (Hertz, M.B., 2014)

These are a couple of highlights from the blog “5 Tips for Avoiding Teacher Burnout”. Check it out!

Hertz, M. B. (May 15, 2014). 5 Tips for Avoiding Teacher Burnout. Edutopia. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/5-tips-avoiding-teacher-burnout-mary-beth-hertz