 Acknowledge the Burnout, Invite the BreakthroughThe final bell rings. The desks sit unevenly. Whiteboard markers begin to dry. Coffee cups and water bottles scatter across your desk like tiny trophies of survival. You made it, barely, but you made it. If you feel more exhausted than inspired, you are not alone. This season often brings a kind of weariness that only educators understand. But this moment also brings something else: a chance to pause, to breathe, and to move from burnout to breakthrough. This is about choosing to refuel what matters most, not pushing harder. Pause to Celebrate the Wins (Yes, Even the Small Ones)Before you pack it all up, take a moment to look back. Not at the emails or the missed deadlines, but at the moments that mattered. That one student who finally read aloud. The group project that brought unexpected laughter. The lesson that sparked curiosity. These are the victories. You did those things. Write down three to five wins from this year. Let them remind you why you stepped into this profession in the first place. Ask yourself, “What story from this year will I tell again and again?” Celebrate that. It counts. Reconnect with What Lit You UpNow think about your own joy. Not just the growth you witnessed, but the moments that made you come alive. Was it a storytelling activity that had everyone on the edge of their seats? Was it a debate that led to deep discussion? Which project made you say, “This is why I teach”? Write it down. Then, save it. Give that idea a fresh twist next year. Maybe you will add a new learning pathway through music, movement, or visual art. Let your own energy lead the way. Build Small but Mighty Goals for the FutureYou do not need an overhaul. You need a nudge. Burnout often comes from trying to do too much, too fast. So instead of reinventing everything, choose one or two manageable goals. Try a new collaborative strategy with your team. Block off 30 minutes a month for creativity planning. Let students lead a discussion once a week. Small shifts lead to big growth. You deserve goals that inspire you, not exhaust you. Don’t Go It Alone – Reignite RelationshipsIsolation often fuels burnout. Community breaks it. Reach out to your team to build a connection. Invite someone to coffee. Start a summer group text. Plan a prep period where you discuss joy more than assessments. Consider creating a team highlight reel: a shared space for wins, ideas, and those “remember this?” stories you don't want to lose. Come fall, you'll be glad you did. Give Yourself Permission to Rest and DreamYou did hard, purposeful, and meaningful work this year. That deserves acknowledgment. But your breakthrough will not come from doing more. It will come from choosing what matters most. So take the break. Sip the iced coffee. Close the laptop. And know this: your spark is not gone. It simply waits for summer to bring it back to life. Now What?Here are some fantastic resources to consider adding to your beach or pool bag.  Teach Happy by Kim Strobel Our friend, teacher mentor, and happiness coach, Kim Strobel, gets it. She understands the challenges we face, and she challenges you to set healthy boundaries.  Elevated Educator by US! Join us for inspiring stories and successful methods to reach students through different learning pathways. This book will help you spark ideas and get excited about trying new things in the next school year.  Burnout: The Secret to Breaking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski This book explains how and why women experience burnout differently from men. Live with joy, manage emotions, and minimize stress with the roadmap from these twin sisters. Headspace Need a book break? Prefer podcasts? Headspace is free for educators and is full of incredible resources to unwind from a stressful day or part of a healing summer. There is focus music, movement exercises, meditations, and sleep tracks. Register today and make it a daily habit.
0 Comments
|
AuthorMegan and Kara are educational leaders, professional development experts, and current classroom teachers who are improving the way instruction is being delivered in the standard classroom. Archives
June 2025
Categories |
RSS Feed
