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FEATURE: TEACHER BURNOUT


often overlook when distracted by the day-to-day school routine and work pressures. Good self-care improves general mood and


unsurprisingly, reduces anxiety - which is why it's brilliant in beating burnout. But importantly, it must be planned and meaningful to you. Adding certain activities to your calendar and committing to self-care plans, even after a busy day of work, can be hugely beneficial for your mental and physical wellbeing.


and space away from the classroom as well. Teachers must prioritise quality time with family and friends in the evenings, set healthy boundaries by blocking out their schedules for personal time or to enjoy the activities that they’re passionate about so they can recharge. If teachers are to beat the burnout, balancing work with their own lives, whilst also fitting in rest and relaxation is necessary.


Asking for help Hopefully, your school should feel like a community. If you are feeling overwhelmed or that your mental health is taking a toll, communicate that to your colleagues and seniors who can help address why that is and can support you in taking tangible steps to change it. If your workload is unbearable, you have concerns about your students’ performance or you are juggling your own personal issues, let those around you know before the problems escalate. Whether it be sitting down and speaking to


your department head, talking to a friendly work colleague who can relate to your struggles, or speaking to someone external like your doctor or a therapist, getting your concerns off your chest and protecting your mental wellbeing is a priority. Simply start talking. The more you choose to


withhold, the more your feelings of stress and frustration will continue and bubble over into your next teaching day. You’re not alone, many will be able to


empathise and understand how you’re feeling too. They can then take action, provide you with more classroom support, ease your workload or even just give you some useful advice that helps see things from a different perspective. Social media and other digital Professional Learning Networks can also be important places to connect for support. Connect with likeminded individuals from other parts of the country or world, and share stories and ideas - both for your classroom delivery AND your mental wellbeing.


Practising authentic, real self-care Self-care need not be a yoga retreat or spa day, it can simply be listening to your favourite music, going out for a long walk or reading a book. It can also be taking the step to book a therapy appointment or doctor’s visit. Self-care is any activity that can boost mental,


emotional and physical health. Although it is a simple concept, it’s something that teachers can


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Improving connections with parents and the broader school community At the core of teaching, is connections. Building connections that matter can take your experience teaching to another level. By strengthening relationships within and beyond the classroom, you can see huge reward - students are likely to engage more with lessons and perform well, thereby easing the pressure on staff. In fact, data collected from SMART


Technologies’ Edtech Assessment Tool shows that schools connecting with parents and the community have better performance outcomes. When the full school community is engaged with how learning is delivered and enabled to make active choices, this improves learning for all students. One of the biggest struggles teachers have


faced since the start of the pandemic is ensuring they remain connected with their students and parents. However, irrespective of where lessons are held – whether online from a kitchen table, or in a traditional classroom – forging relationships with parents and pupils is key to ensuring teachers stay on top of their student’s wellbeing and provide total support to students. By doing so, the entire school community can


thrive. The more you boost these connections, the more enthusiasm and energy you will bring to the classroom, reducing symptoms of burnout.


Be strategic about the technology you adopt in the classroom The past year and a half has proposed many challenges in the classroom and teachers have been particularly savvy in navigating them - whether that be resolving login issues, battling with unreliable Wi-Fi, or adapting well thought


out lesson plans last minute amid hybrid and remote learning. As a result, the need for ed-tech tools has


accelerated at a rate like never before, but teachers must be strategic about what resources they use and how they use them. Adapting to new technology that is easy to use and integrates with current tools is key. Look to technology that is user friendly, that provides quick how to videos or has an active community that can address any on demand questions that you may have. Importantly, to build meaningful connections


and create high levels of engagement in the classroom, integrating technology that is simple and accessible to use will be a huge support. Technology that incorporates active learning principles and capabilities that ensure educators can drive active, engaging and collaborative learning can be a huge help in empowering both students and teachers to maintain high levels of energy in the classroom, whilst avoiding burnout. Lumio, SMART Technologies’ digital learning


tool, for instance, has allowed educators to easily transition between the classroom and remote learning where needed, be creative with their active learning method, and crucially, make new learning situations easier for students and teachers alike when circumstances changed throughout the pandemic. Edmodo is another example of an education tool that helps teachers and students connect, in an internal social network style platform. Teachers can create online collaborative groups, administer and provide educational materials, measure student performance, and communicate with parents, among other functions. By turning to these digital tools, teachers will


not only have greater support, but gain the insight that they need to provide outstanding learning experiences while balancing their own time and energy. To conclude, whilst it may not be possible to


eliminate all the burden and stress that comes with a hugely important and dynamic profession like teaching, there are certainly methods and strategies that teachers can use to take action and avoid burnout, before it escalates and becomes out of hand.


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