How Self-Care for Teachers Makes Stronger Classrooms

“One of the hardest lessons I ever had to learn was that to practice care for others, I needed to practice self-care first,” an Austin, Texas-based library specialist confided. “It was very hard to give myself permission. But it matters.”

Nobody knows caring, dedication and the power of showing up like teachers––even before the pandemic changed everything. Tasked with passing on everything from advanced calculus and systems theory to the building blocks of reading and social skills like standing in line and asking politely, teachers do so much more than just teach academic subjects: They mold students into successful members of society, often by the dint of their own energy and patience.

The weight of that responsibility can be enormous––and comes with the risk of teacher burnout, even in pre-COVID times. Advocacy group Alliance for Excellent Education found that 40-50 percent of new teachers left the profession in the first five years on the job, and 10 percent left after the first year. Given the overwhelming demands of the school year––coupled with the type-A passion that drives many professionals to the field in the first place––it’s no wonder that many teachers put work-life balance, and their own wellness, on the back burner. Or let it fall off the stove entirely.