Teacher burnout. Just the words themselves can bring a wave of exhaustion. It’s a heavy weight that many educators carry, often silently, and it can extinguish the very passion that led us to the classroom in the first place. If you’re feeling the flames of burnout licking at your enthusiasm, know that you’re not alone. And more importantly, know that you can find your way back to the joy – that feeling of excitement and energy, that “Happy Friday Dance” spirit – even in the midst of a challenging school year.
In my book, “The Burn Book: 8 Key Strategies to Recognize and Extinguish Teacher Burnout,” I wanted to create a resource that was as accessible and practical as possible. Forget dense, jargon-filled textbooks. This is a quick read designed for busy teachers who need real, actionable strategies they can implement right away. We dive into the everyday battles teachers face: navigating school cliques and gossip, the pressure to prioritize test scores over developmentally appropriate teaching, resistance to positive change, the trap of rigor without relationship, and the critical importance of self-care.
Think of it like this: “If teacher ain’t happy, nobody is happy.” It’s a simple truth, but profoundly impactful. When you’re running on empty, that contagious enthusiasm fades. Are you feeling that “happy Friday dance” energy in your classroom lately? Are you having fun? Have you lost sight of the mission that once filled you with purpose? The good news is, you have the power to change that. You are the driver in your classroom. It’s time to take the reins and steer your teaching back towards engagement, enjoyment, and that vital spark of joy. Your role is to ignite curiosity and light the way for your students. But you can’t effectively shine if you’re burning out.
Becoming an author was never part of my plan. My writing is straightforward, honest, and focused on practical help, not perfect prose. Public speaking? Terrifying! I’m comfortable in a room full of energetic five-year-olds, ready to dance and sing and engage. But the thought of presenting to my peers used to fill me with dread. Yet, overcoming this fear became essential because my mission is deeply important to me. I believe that by helping teachers rediscover their joy, we can positively impact countless children. My methods may have evolved, but my core purpose remains the same: to champion teachers and, above all, advocate for children.
Let’s work together to bring the joy back into our classrooms, making learning an exciting adventure for everyone involved. YOU have the power to initiate that change. Discover how to extinguish the flames of burnout, reclaim your energy, and rediscover your “happy Friday dance” in teaching, every day of the week.
“The Burn Book: 8 Key Strategies to Recognize and Extinguish Teacher Burnout” by Colleen Schmit is available on Amazon.
