Dear we are teachers,
I am in my second year of education and am constantly exhausted. I cancelled my barre class and book club because I thought it would help me cut out my weekday activities. But now I have now reached a point where I don’t want to do anything on the weekend either. Will teacher fatigue improve? Or is it a problem that is necessary to fix this?
– A discarded new teacher
Dear ent,
i feel you. Fatigue is very realistic. Mentally, people may find education in their second year easier. In fact, most studies show that the first five years of education is some of the most demanding teachers. I clearly remember going home on a Friday afternoon and sleeping from 4 to 8pm on the first day of my second year. Heck, I did it a few days ago, 13 years after my career. So it’s not just you.
So you cut off weekday activities and feel less tired. I have two questions. First of all, what did you get when cutting them out? Are you sleeping more or more charging? Cutting out weekday activities and filling them with more planning or unhealthy coping strategies (addicts), it may be less useful than desired. Easy to audit how you actually use your time, plan ahead weekly, set healthy boundaries, and take care of yourself.
But you’re also wondering about the fatigue you’re feeling, not about actual rest, but perhaps the symptoms of burnout. While you’re taking the bar classes, book clubs – you might feel crazy while you’re off the plate, but they might have filled your bucket.
Education is not merely mental and physical training, it is emotionally taxed. It is important to take the time to do things that bring your joy outside of your classroom, as you consistently develop rejuvenation. I know this is very difficult, but I often see that I often take up space to do things for myself – run, lunch with friends, read books for pleasure – I make a better teacher, mom, wife, and human. Ask how you feel after going to the Barre and Book Club. Do they make you feel good? If so, it may be time to get them back. If not, find a pursuit that will help you feel like your best self.
So, as an educator, I think it’s a little easier as I learn to set boundaries. Cultivating space for rest and recharging meaningfully over time is an important practice that will help you thrive in long-educated marathons. I believe in you, and I want you to rest and joy!
Dear we are teachers,
Recently we had a special first grade event day at my school. I don’t teach that grade level, but this event meant that all the “extra hands” were somehow pulled to support the event, and I ended up giving birth to students all day. There was no lunch break, no planning time, nothing. I had a day like this last month and am planning another day this week. These days are really rough about my mental health. Is this normal? What can you do about this?
– A presence for breathing
Dear bfab,
Your desire for a break is completely understandable. Many people outside the classroom don’t realize that being “on” can be emotionally exhausting.
When it comes to being “normal”, it depends on the context. Independent schools have similar “all hands” days, such as the first day of school, which is part of the education obligation. That being said, they are very rare (probably three per year), we have a lot of notices, and we still get lunch break. Many teacher contracts serve lunch periods, whether in an independent school or a public school, that you cannot be required to work.
If you are in a public school, please contact the union representative. What you are explaining may in some way violate the union contract. If it violates the contract, the union can assist you with your best progress. Alternatively, if the union says it is acceptable, the representative should explain it to you.
If you are not protected by the union, you will need to review the contract. Some contracts pay attention to “meal breaks” or “rest periods” (for example, 30-minute meal periods) if the manager cannot mandate work. If your school is breaking your contract and you feel comfortable raising it with your supervisor, it is worth raising. However, I would like to look for language for “essential activities” or “out of normal working hours” that may exist. If that exists, your school may be within the scope of your contract.
If you are growing this, be clear and level up. Even if justified, throwing accusations from BAT is unlikely to achieve the desired outcome. You can open it with a question: How often does this happen? Can teachers support each other at least during lunch breaks? If it violates the contract, does the administration recognize it and have plans to ease its progress? Also, fellow annoyed teachers can join with you to create a more unified position.
If your administration rejects change and is not legally obligated to do so, or you remain silent about raising it, you need to determine whether this is an environment worth staying. Or is this (of course) taxable, so is it worth looking for a new school community?
No matter what, I want to take one point home. You deserve a break between work. Don’t convince anyone that denying your break on a daily basis is “part of your job.” Take care of yourself and protect your time and peace. I believe in you and I wish you success!
Dear we are teachers,
I feel dissatisfied with the “collateral” education expenses. In other words, you will get sick. I had Covid-19 during my Thanksgiving break during my bronchitis for winter break and I watched students cough and sniff into school. This made me worried about getting sick again. How can I regain my self-care and manage these difficult issues?
– Passing through spring
Dear stts,
As a parent of two toddlers, this question goes home. My kids already manage their hands, feet, mouth, pink eyes, RSV and flu breakouts before and at daycare. Several news outlets have declared this to be the harshest winter and worst flu season in recent decades. It (“it” is *gestures around *”Illness”) is there. As teachers, it often means that we are exposed to illness from multiple places (i.e., large groups of children, colleagues, etc.). I’m currently overcoming a nasty cold while writing this.
Firstly, according to the American Medical Association’s recommendation, if I did not mention being up to date with vaccines, I would repent. If you don’t remember when you were vaccinated last (or who your primary care provider is), this is a good opportunity to do preventive care. We know it’s easy not to follow up on our own health, but building a relationship with PCP can help/occasionally if you get sick.
Another support is wearing a mask. My colleagues who wear masks can make my colleagues who are aware that they are less sick. Or you can implement it if you feel it’s a sensitive time (e.g. many of your students are coughing/sniffing). I have a box of masks I have in my office to protect myself and my students. There are also several studies on nasal irrigation that shortens the duration of illness.
As far as you take care of your emotional well-being, I find you mention existing burnout. Take care of yourself in other ways – you can help prevent illness by getting enough rest, drinking plenty of water, and caring for your physical health. If you feel burned out, setting expectations and creating boundaries may help you take care of yourself in the long run.
Finally, try to recognize what is in your control trajectory and what is not. Getting sick can be very frustrating…and there are so many things you can do. I can take my own preventive care, but I have no complete control over whether I get sick or not. When I get sick, take time to get sick (just like you!) and try a slightly pathetic party. And it reminds me that embracing anger or squeezing anger for too long can make me feel sick. If leaving the classroom isn’t enough – if it’s another conversation, we need to learn how to accept what we have control and let go of what we can’t. However, it’s easier than you say, so I’m paying a lot of attention to you. i believe in you.
Do you have any burning questions? Please email askweareteachers@weareteachers.com.
Dear we are teachers,
Our primary school has a spring carnival every year, and each year students can vote on which teacher or administrator is eligible for the “face pie” booth. Students can then purchase tickets and enter the lottery to pie the selected person. When I was voted this year and told the principal I wanted to opt out, he said, “I’m sorry, but this is a ‘other obligation assigned’. I was on the floor. Am I a bad sport or is this a wild take?
– A robust critic
