As the school year approaches (or has already started for some), educators pour their heart and soul into their students. Those who complain that we get summers off don’t understand the emotional toll that investing every day can take.
Burnout is real, and it doesn’t just happen in May. If you aren’t intentional about how you spend your time and energy, it can creep up at any point. I want you to start this school year with intention so that you can finish with intention. Here are a few practical ways to keep your fire burning this year without burning out:
Recognize the Sacred Window. One of the leading causes of burnout is the amount of planning, grading, and administrative work that gets pushed beyond the school day. This year, you need to recognize your two sacred windows. The first is your contractual school day. Commit yourself fully to your students, your planning time, and your duties while you are in the school building. Be present. The second sacred window is your time outside of school. Protect this time just as fiercely. Spend time with family and friends, commit to hobbies, and live your life. Be present. As an educator, you don’t need to be more. You actually need to be less.
Practice Strategic Incompetence. Each day is filled with hundreds of requests. You might be capable of fulfilling each one but you don’t have to. If a parent emails you for bus information, it might be tempting to look it up yourself just to avoid the follow-up emails. Instead, practice strategic incompetence. Delegate by pointing them directly to the transportation department. Let those requests be answered by the appropriate people. Being strategically incompetent is not the same as being incompetent.
Schedule Your Own Recess. We build brain breaks and recess into our students’ days but rarely give ourselves the same grace. You don’t need extensive breaks during the day but micro-moments of recovery can help to ease the physical and emotional drain. Did you just survive a difficult 20-minute parent phone call? Close your eyes for 3 minutes and sit in silence. Listen to some relaxing classical music on your drive home to disconnect. Actually use your well-deserved lunch time to get outside and go for a walk.
Power Down. Teachers are increasingly asked to be “on” 24-7. When parent emails come in at 7pm, 10pm, and 2am, responding to one makes us feel like we need to respond to all of them. The most important advice I give to all teachers is to remove their school email from their phone. Most emails can wait until your sacred window the next day. Even better? Try powering your device down completely. Turn it off to experience your actual life outside your job.
Most of us chose this profession because we wanted to make a difference for our students. We can’t do that if we are running on empty. Protecting your energy doesn’t mean you care any less about your students. It’s necessary to ensure that you can show up day after day.
This school year, remember to be as intentional about your own well being as you are about your lesson plans. You are more than just an educator. Make this the year that you protect your peace, preserve your spark, and burn on instead of burning out. Have a wonderful and very balanced school year!
Rich
