Beating Burnout: 4 Ways to Support Teachers and Staff

Have you ever heard the saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup”? 

While educators experiencing stress and burnout may not come as a surprise, there are many tools that can help “fill the cups” of those on your team to help them beat burnout.

What is Burnout?

Recent data from Marken and Agrawal (2022) shows that 44% of K-12 employees feel burnt out often. Teachers and staff can experience burnout for a variety of reasons, including: 

1. High workload: Teachers and staff are responsible for managing various aspects of school operations. This includes everything from student performance, evaluations, community relations, and more. Especially during peak periods, things can add up quickly (even for teachers outside of the math department 😊).  
2. Limited resources: Educators need resources such as staff, technology, and funding to effectively manage their schools.
3. Pressure to meet academic standards: Schools are often judged based on their academic performance, and educators are under pressure to ensure that their students achieve high test scores. This pressure can be stressful and lead to burnout. 

How to Beat Burnout

To support teachers and staff and reduce burnout, school districts can take the following steps: 

1. Provide resources for mental health and wellness: Many districts nationwide are implementing mental health initiatives including workshops, and ongoing education services to help support educators in their mental health and wellness.  
2. Foster a positive school culture: Districts can offer professional development opportunities for educators to provide ongoing training on topics such as managing stress and emotional wellbeing.  
3. Reduce administrative tasks as much as possible: Districts can work to reduce the administrative burden on teachers and staff by providing additional staff support or streamlining processes. Solutions such as Helios and other tools help by reducing time spent completing administrative tasks and get more time back in their day.  
4. Work-life balance: Districts can encourage work-life balance by promoting flexible work schedules, providing access to mental health resources, and creating a supportive culture that prioritizes the wellbeing of all employees. 

By taking these steps, school districts can help support teachers and staff, and reduce the risk of burnout. This will also create a positive and effective learning environment for students and staff. 

What are ways that you support those around you to beat burnout?