Teaching may be one of the most rewarding careers, but it’s no secret that it comes with significant challenges. For many educators, the demands of the job—long hours, emotional strain, and increasing responsibilities—can lead to burnout.
“Teacher burnout is more than exhaustion; it’s a state of emotional, mental, and physical fatigue caused by prolonged stress and unmanageable workloads,” says Dr. Nick Bach, psychologist specializing in stress management and CEO of Grace Psychological Services. “Many teachers tell me they feel overwhelmed by high expectations, lack of support, and the emotional toll of caring for students.”
This state of physical and emotional exhaustion doesn’t just affect the burned-out teacher—it can also impact students, colleagues, and even the broader school community. Understanding what causes burnout, recognizing its symptoms, and implementing strategies to manage it are crucial steps in addressing this growing concern.
This article explores the causes of teacher burnout, outlines common symptoms to watch out for, and offers practical tips on how teachers can avoid burnout, recover from it, or make a career change if necessary.
What is teacher burnout?
To be burned out from teaching refers to a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to stressors in the workplace. It occurs when the demands placed on a teacher exceed their ability to cope, often leading to a sense of emotional depletion and disengagement from the profession.
Is it normal to be exhausted after teaching? It's not ideal to view this as normal—because constant exhaustion shouldn’t be accepted as part of the job—but unfortunately, it’s quite common.
Findings from the 2024 State of the American Teacher survey by Rand reveal that teachers experience frequent job-related stress or burnout at nearly twice the rate of comparable working adults, and are about three times more likely to struggle with coping. This disparity is even more pronounced among women, as female teachers report significantly higher rates of stress and burnout compared to their male counterparts—a consistent trend since 2021.
Main causes of teacher burnout
What is the real cause of teacher burnout? They are multifaceted and interconnected. Several factors contribute to the increasing levels of stress educators face, and these factors vary depending on the individual, the school environment, and the broader societal context.
Overwhelming workload
Teachers often have a multitude of responsibilities beyond classroom instruction. From grading papers to creating lesson plans, attending meetings, and performing administrative tasks, they’re consistently expected to balance numerous duties. When these demands are unmanageable, they can quickly lead to exhaustion and burnout.
Lack of support from administration
Without adequate professional development, mentorship, or resources to handle classroom challenges, teachers can feel isolated in their struggles. This lack of support may lead to feelings of frustration, helplessness, and eventually burnout.
Additionally, when teachers feel their concerns are not being heard or addressed by administrators, it can increase their stress levels and disengagement from the profession.
Emotional demands of the job
Teaching is an emotionally demanding profession. Educators are tasked with managing a classroom of students with varying needs, including those dealing with behavioral issues, mental health challenges, and academic struggles. The emotional toll of constantly giving to others can lead to teacher burnout.
Low pay and lack of recognition
Despite the critical role teachers play in shaping the future of society, many educators feel that their efforts are undervalued. Teachers in the U.S. are often underpaid relative to the work they do, and this financial strain can be an ongoing source of stress. In addition to financial concerns, teachers may also feel that their hard work goes unnoticed, leading to a sense of frustration.
This lack of recognition can be demoralizing, contributing to teachers feeling that their passion and hard work are not appreciated, which can eventually lead to burnout.
Signs of teacher burnout
What does teacher burnout feel like? While it can manifest differently in each teacher, there are common signs to watch out for. Teacher burnout symptoms can include:
- Emotional exhaustion: Teachers feel mentally drained, unable to engage with students or colleagues in a positive way.
- Cynicism and detachment: Teachers become disillusioned, viewing their students or work in a negative light, which hinders effective teaching.
- Physical symptoms: Chronic headaches, stomach issues, and insomnia are common side effects of burnout.
- Reduced performance: Burnout can lead to diminished work quality, including less effective lesson planning, grading, and classroom management.
- Increased absenteeism: Teachers dealing with burnout may take more sick days or begin to show up late for work as they feel overwhelmed by the emotional and physical toll of their job.
- Loss of motivation: Burned-out teachers often experience a lack of enthusiasm for teaching, leading to a decline in their commitment and passion for their profession.
- Social withdrawal: Teachers may start isolating themselves from colleagues and students, avoiding interactions and teamwork. This can manifest as a reluctance to participate in school activities or collaborate on projects
Navigating teacher burnout
While teacher burnout is a serious issue, there are numerous ways educators can manage and prevent it. The following strategies can help you set boundaries, protect your well-being, and potentially recover from burnout.
How to avoid teacher burnout
- Set clear boundaries. “Burnout doesn’t always mean you’re doing too much,” says Brendan Brown, an educational expert with a background in psychology and the founder of Global English Editing. “Sometimes, it means you’re not doing enough of what feeds you.” Set a specific time to stop working each day, avoid emails and grading outside work hours, and make time for hobbies, exercise, or socializing to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- Seek professional development. Attending professional development opportunities can help rejuvenate teachers’ enthusiasm and provide new strategies for classroom management and teaching techniques. This investment in personal growth can offer teachers a renewed sense of purpose.
- Build a supportive network. Teaching can feel isolating, but forming supportive relationships with colleagues can provide the emotional support needed to navigate challenging times. Collaborate with peers for lesson planning, share resources, and engage in emotional support during tough times.
- Practice self-care regularly. This can include physical activities such as exercise, getting enough sleep, and eating nutritious meals. Mental self-care, such as mindfulness and therapy, can also be beneficial. (Here are four small ways anyone can practice self-care on a regular basis.)
- Ask for help. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help when needed. “Whether it’s talking with colleagues, joining support groups, or working with a therapist, sharing your struggles helps reduce feelings of isolation,” Dr. Bach says.
How to recover from burnout as a teacher
- Take time off. Sometimes, the best way to recover from burnout is to step away from the classroom for a short period. Whether it's a few days off or a longer break, taking time for mental and emotional rest can provide the necessary space to recharge.
- Refocus your energy. Evaluate your teaching style and personal priorities. Sometimes burnout occurs when educators feel that their teaching style is no longer effective or engaging. Reflecting on this and making small changes can provide a fresh start.
- Advocate for change. Teachers can work with their union or school administration to improve working conditions. Proposing realistic solutions such as reducing classroom sizes or providing more planning time can help address systemic problems contributing to burnout.
Burned-out teacher seeking a career change?
The stress and burnout of the classroom can sometimes push teachers to consider a career change. If you're feeling this way, it might be time to explore new paths that still tap into your skills and passion for helping others—but in a different role.
Here are a few career options that could offer a refreshing change while making the most of your experience and strengths.
- Instructional design: Teachers can use their expertise in curriculum development to create educational materials for corporations, universities, or online platforms.
- Human resources: The skills gained in managing classrooms, resolving conflicts, and training students can easily translate to human resource positions in corporate environments.
- Educational consulting: For experienced educators, consulting can offer a way to share knowledge with schools or education-based companies to improve learning environments and curricula.
- Librarianship: Teachers who enjoy working with educational materials and helping others learn can find fulfillment in librarianship, which allows them to work in schools, public libraries, or corporate settings. (This may require additional certifications or degrees.)
Moving forward after burnout
Teacher burnout is a complex and deeply rooted issue that affects the well-being of teachers, students, and the educational system as a whole. However, by recognizing the signs early and implementing strategies to mitigate burnout, educators can continue to thrive in their careers.
For those who feel that burnout is inevitable, exploring new career paths can offer fresh opportunities while still using the skills they’ve honed over their careers.
Find the right place to put your teaching skills—apply now to these amazing teacher jobs on The Muse »