Most people look forward to the weekend. TGIF is a phrase that can be heard in almost every office, every school, and every classroom worldwide. I mean…who doesn’t love the weekend? I know I certainly do…
However, in my own school lately, I have noticed that the TGIF feeling is more than usual. The teachers are not just tired…they are beaten down. Listen teaching is tough, we all know that! Whether it be an urban, suburban, or rural school- public, private, or charter, there are many challenges teachers face.
Feeling defeated and beaten down is definitely not the type of emotions one wishes to see in themselves or others. Especially not in teachers whose sole mission is to teach and engage students. So, how do we fix this?
How do we fix teacher burnout and these feelings of defeat? When is TGIF indicative of something far greater than just excitement for the weekend?
All jobs have stress, that’s a given. However, everyday stress and burnout are two totally different things. Burnout is far more damaging and takes more than a mere Saturday and Sunday to fix. When a teacher feels beaten down, it is crucial to not only take notice, but to do what one can to “fix ” the environment responsible for these feelings. If this negativity has taken such significant toll on the teachers in five short days, what is it doing to our children.
Psychology Today describes burnout as “a state of chronic stress that leads to physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, detachment, and feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment.”
Those are some powerful adjectives. There is not one on the list I would wish on my worst enemy. However, this is a common “ailment” of teachers worldwide. It is crucial we determine the why and begin the how …how to fix this, how to ensure our teachers do not experience negativity to this magnitude, how to help teachers recharge and be and feel their best.
In any job feelings like this should be acknowledged, recognized,and treated.
So, what do we do? Self care is so important, perhaps the most important thing anyone can do for themselves. For teachers, this is crucial. In order to be effective and function at their best, we have to make sure our teachers feel their best.
First of all, it is important to know what the signs are- so we can recognize it and help as much as possible. How about some professional development on topics such as this? Topics so real, topics that truly could provide our teachers with the advocacy and assistance they desire and deserve!
Here are some signs to look out for in yourself and others.
- Fatigue and sleep issues.
- Appetite and weight issues.
- Depression and anxiety.
The article below is well worth reading.
Teacher Burnout: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention. (n.d.). Hey Teach!. https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/teacher-burnout-causes-symptoms-and-prevention1711.html