ARE YOU HEADED FOR EDUCATOR BURN OUT?

 


You get out of the car to walk into your program and tears are already in your eyes.  You're tired and frustrated and you haven't even gotten in the door yet.

You go through the morning drop off on autopilot, holding back snarky comments before you catch yourself staring around the playroom as if everything in front of you is just a rerun of a movie you've seen a hundred times before. When the children start arguing or try to show you their latest drawing, you can only muster up enough energy to grimace and redirect them back to play. 

You just don't have the patience for this anymore.

What is Burnout?

The World Health Organization characterizes burn out as:

  • A sense of exhaustion or depletion
  • Mental distance, negativity or cynicism about work
  • Decreased effectiveness in the workplace

However burnout is defined, it all comes down to your tank is empty.  You simply don't feel 'it' at work anymore.

What are the Signs of Burnout?

You No Longer Get Excited About Work

·      The biggest sign of burnout is a lack of interest or enthusiasm about what you’re doing. All the things that used to make the job worth doing, big and little leave you feeling completely depleted.  You no longer get the same or any level of satisfaction from the work.

You No Longer Put In An Effort

·      Essentially you have quit even though you are still working; unable to shake the feeling of apathy while at work.   Your program plans have become generic and basic and you're just maintaining status quo…barely.

·       You don't bother bringing in anything extra for the children, or invest time to make your projects interesting.  At the end of the day you are out the door faster than the last parent and where you once drew little pictures to spruce up program plans, you're now getting them up on the board scarcely under the deadline.

There Have Been Comments About Your Performance (Or Lack Thereof)

·      Other educators, or worse your supervisor has noticed your disinterest and have started to comment.  You no longer strive for a high standard of professionalism or provide that extra bit of quality you used to and its starting to show. 

You Start The Day Exhausted And Go Downhill

·      You no longer have the energy to get through the day.  You start off worn-out and wonder how you'll make it through to the end.  Just the idea of standing outside with the children is draining.

You’re Dealing With Physical Ailments

Physical pain is creeping in and taking hold:

  • Insomnia
  • Chest pain
  • Headaches
  • Increased illness
  • Heart palpitations
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Gastrointestinal pain

WHAT CAUSES EDUCATOR BURNOUT?

  • A lack of autonomy and opportunity to make critical choices in your program.
  • Children's behaviors including disrespect, inattentiveness, uncontrollable, aggression and other negative behaviours.
  • Lack of support from the supervisor, administration, parents; feeling unable to communicate effectively.
  • A frenzied environment where you rush from place to place and duty to duty, without any rest or time to regroup. You don't have enough time to spend on each activity.
  • Lack of budget to buy appropriate materials.
  • Lack of preparation time; having to choose between being ill prepared or losing out on sleep/family time/self-care/hobbies.
  • Persistent stress from working with children who experience abuse, neglect and or trauma in the home. Constant feelings of frustration with parents.

WHAT ARE SOME EFFECTIVE WAYS TO DEAL WITH BURNOUT?

Teach in the Moment 

·       Learn to focus on the here and now and push away thoughts of what if, later on, before this … Learn ways to be mindful in the classroom.  Reduce noise.  Reduce clutter.  Reduce distraction. 

Slow Down. Take Time. Finish Tasks

·       Take the time to set up and organize your room or day, step away from business and invest in a break. Put time into yourself to rebuild, recharge, or relax during the day.  Sleep.  Exercise.  Create a sanctuary; mental (reading, drawing, day dreaming) or physical (quiet room, garden, walking) and go there at least once a day.  Set your own pace then fill in the rest.  Children will follow your guidelines for the use of time once you wrangle them into a firmly set and consistent routine.

Avoid Conflict and Set Boundaries

·         An almost laughable idea when you're teacher, but always ask yourself: is this the hill I want to die on? Pick your battles and be selective.  Let most things go. 

·        Make your home or you time off limits. Time away from the program is your time.  Decide that what doesn't get done during the day, will have to wait until the next day.  When you leave for the day emergency contact only.

 Sink Into Something New

·       When it comes to teaching and children there is always something new to try.  Adapt a personal hobby for the classroom, new programming, new routines, a different curriculum approach, a revamped project.  Start a course, go to a workshop or try a webinar.  Sometimes professional reading can boost a new idea or spark an old interest.  Review your resume; it is a great reminder of how far you've come and have accomplished so far; updating your resume forces you to realize how much you actually do and how high your skill level is.

      
Sometimes a change in perspective is what is needed to rejuvenate the love of teaching.


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Want more information on how to become a mindful ECE?  Download the Mindful ECE Resource Collection.

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5 Telltale Signs You’re Burnt Out at Work (and What to Do About Them).  Kat Boogaard.  The Muse. https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-signs-ofburnout?sc_src=email_261451&sc_lid=16040993&sc_uid=e2OiYM7rWD&sc_llid=56628&sc_eh=75b2f336a36d1b221&utm_source=emarsys&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_20200302_261451&utm_content=dailynewsletter&utm_term=_&sc_customer=tkassotis%40icloud.com.  Downloaded March 2, 2020

Teacher Burnout Solutions and Prevention – How to Retain Talented Educators.  The Graide Network. https://www.thegraidenetwork.com/blog-all/teacher-burnout-solutions-prevention. Downloaded March 18, 2020

25 Tips to Reduce Teacher Burnout.  Teach Thought.  We Grow Teachers. https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/25-tips-reduce-teacher-burnout/. Downloaded March 18, 2020.


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