Building Resilience to Prevent Burnout: A Guide to Educator Well-Being

Practical Strategies to help deal with this or that... and the reasons they actually can work for YOU!

Remember these...?

We've ignored this long enough and now it's a crisis. So, what we need are accessible resources and practical tools. What we don't need are more reasons to experience burnout. 🔥

Ok, so if you've tuned in to some of my latest posts, you've probably already self-checked your burnout and realized you might need to do some looky looky.👀 The "So...what do I do now" phase. Well, I've got ya! I'm excited to share what has worked for me, for students and colleagues, and what is backed by brain science. Again, you might get turned off because it will sound all too familiar at first, but remember, it's sticking with it and infusing it into routine and culture that makes them effective support. I like to find ways to make this simpler and resilience tools always seem to come to the rescue when we need to BUST🥊 burnout.

Ok...Let's Start with a Reality Check : The Reality of Teacher Burnout

In the hustle and bustle of the educational environment, it’s easy for teachers to prioritize everything and everyone but themselves. The demands of the job often lead to stress and burnout, impacting not only educators' health but also their effectiveness with students. Understanding and building resilience can be a game-changer, offering educators tools to bounce back and thrive.

Let's look at some current data points:

• NEA reports a direct link between poor well-being and adverse working conditions to teacher's intentions to leave

• Research shows those in education experience work-related stress x2 as compared to others

• 60% are reporting burnout symptoms at a "very often" rate

• Mid-career teachers experience burnout symptoms at much higher rates

• Harassment, threats, violence, mitigation measures, and lack of professional respect have contributed to the desire or choice to leave.

• 35% of educators report not having access to mental health support through their employer
  

So...Why is Resilience the Way to GO?

• Reduced Stress Levels: Mindfulness practices can reduce stress by up to 30%.

• Increased Job Satisfaction: Teachers who use organizational tools report feeling more in control and less overwhelmed.

• Enhanced Well-Being: Regular journaling contributes to better emotional health and resilience.

The Neuroscience of Resilience 🧠

Resilience, the ability to adapt and recover from stress, is crucial for educators. Neuroscience shows that our brains are capable of remarkable plasticity, meaning experiences can reshape them. Positive activities and mindful practices can enhance neural pathways, promoting mental strength and flexibility. This is where resilience-building practices come into play, offering educators the means to not just survive but thrive in their roles.

Self-efficacy and Burnout Go Hand-In-Hand:

Most research shows a direct correlation between teachers' beliefs in their ability to do the job and burnout. Wait...we're supposed to be made to feel confident at our jobs instead of being gaslit and disrespected on the daily?! Higher self-efficacy results in more confidence in managing challenging classroom situations and greater competency in teaching practice. Conversely, lower self-efficacy can lead to easy overwhelm with job demands and higher burnout.

Emotional exhaustion is also one of the most powerful factors in the research. In my tenured career and in my more recent coaching and consulting roles, lack of emotional regulation is out of control. Like...everyone is flipping their lid and flipping out constantly. I feel like I play the "triage" role even more so now than I did before. Yikes!

So...Let's Bounce Back with These Practical Strategies

2 OF MY FAVORITE SANITY SAVERS!!

1. Some Type of Journaling or Reflective Practice: Journaling is a powerful tool for educators. It allows for self-reflection, helping teachers process their experiences and emotions. By regularly writing down thoughts, challenges, and successes, educators can gain clarity and perspective. This practice not only alleviates stress but also fosters personal growth and resilience. For me it has to be guided in some way. I don't want to have to think much when it comes to my self-care. I need a place to start and ideas to keep it going. That's why I love a journaling practice that I can build in throughout the day and share with students and then also use the practice to help me "open" and "close" for the day respecting my work/home boundaries.

START HERE! I love creating resources for what my students and I need and these have been it. New and Improved with some creativity flare added and more mindfulness activities. The student journals come with 5 star reviews and now there's a journal specifically for YOU!

Ultimate Well-Being BUNDLE: Social Emotional Learning Journals for Everyone

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2. Organizational Change-Up: Task Management Tools Finding an organizational system that works for you is significant in preventing or managing burnout. Or maybe a shake-up is needed. That's what it was for me, I needed an organizational re-fresh STAT. Sometimes it can even be just for aesthetics. Staying organized can significantly reduce stress and prevent burnout. Something I've learned in my transition journey is that teachers are project managers. Really good ones! There are so many task management tools out there in the project management world. I enjoy using Trello Boards. We all have a way we like to organize, but we tend to leave out self-care. For me it's as easy as adding a morning and afternoon checklist to my Trello board. This trains my brain to not neglect this time and I love to be able to check it off! By breaking down projects into smaller, manageable tasks, teachers can avoid feeling overwhelmed and maintain a sense of control over their workload.

Ways to Use:

• Create boards for different aspects of your job (e.g., lesson planning, grading, professional development).

• Use lists and cards to break down tasks and set deadlines.

• Incorporate labels and checklists to prioritize and track progress.

• Reminders and checklists for important routines with automation

And....We're Bouncing Back From That Challenge. Marked Safe 🦺

Conclusion: Prioritizing Educator Well-Being

Educator well-being is not a luxury but a necessity. By understanding the neuroscience of resilience and implementing practical strategies, teachers can build the strength to navigate the challenges of their profession.

Remember, a resilient teacher is a powerful force in the classroom.

The Little Things Do Matter

Let's Stay Well Together

Mindfully Yours,

Crystal @MsTTalks