Don't Ignore these 5 Warning Signs of Teacher Burnout

Did you know that according to a recent Gallup Poll, 44% of K-12 teachers in the United States report frequent or constant stress? Recognizing the signs early can help you take steps to prevent full-blown burnout and maintain your passion for teaching.

As an experienced speech-language pathologist, I feel varying levels of burnout now more than ever. I struggle with high work load expectations, disruptive student behavior, and high staff turnover. Not to mention managing new technology and parent concerns. The past few years have been difficult, and I started waking up tired and getting home exhausted. My anxiety peaked, resulting in difficulty maintaining productivity throughout the day.

Do you feel exhausted and unmotivated even before the school day begins?

Burnout doesn’t just appear overnight—it creeps in slowly, affecting your physical, emotional, and mental health.

Teachers are at a high risk of burnout due to the overwhelming demands and emotional toll of their job.

• Balancing lesson plans, grading, and administrative demands can make prioritizing self-care challenging.

• Lack of administrative support can cause stress levels to rise. Dealing with academic requirements and classroom behavior is more difficult when you’re on your own.

• Ignoring the early symptoms can lead to chronic stress, health issues, and a decline in job performance and satisfaction.

The warning signs of teacher Burnout

• Constant Fatigue: Are you tired even after a full night’s sleep? If you hit the snooze button multiple times and still feel groggy, you might need more than an extra cup of coffee.

• Emotional Exhaustion: Are you overwhelmed and just trying to cope? If you struggle to make it through the day and often feel like crying, you might be experiencing emotional exhaustion.

• Reduced Performance: Are you struggling to complete tasks that were easy in the past? If you struggle to stay on top of grading, lesson planning, or managing your classroom, this could signal the early stages of burnout.

• Irritability: Are you more frustrated and irritable with students and colleagues? If minor issues you would normally handle with ease are now causing major frustrations, it might be time to take a step back.

• Detachment: Do you feel a sense of disconnection from teaching? Or perhaps your motivation has hit rock bottom? Difficulty in getting excited for lessons or connecting with students could indicate the onset of burnout.

Next Steps

If you’re noticing these symptoms, it’s time to focus on self-care strategies and seek support. Here are some steps you can take right now to combat early burnout:

• Take Short Breaks: Give yourself permission to take short, regular breaks throughout the day. Even a few minutes to stretch, walk, or breathe deeply can make a significant difference.

• Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily routine. Taking time for activities such as deep breathing, meditation, or journaling can reduce stress and enhance emotional resilience.

• Connect with Colleagues: Developing a network of teachers can give you a place to share, vent, and receive guidance and motivation.

• Prioritize Self-Care: Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine. Make sure to prioritize activities that energize and revitalize you. Choose activities like exercising, reading, or spending time with loved ones.

Are you ready to begin your journey towards a more balanced and energized life?

Take this short quiz to find out if you are experiencing signs of burnout, then join our community for burnout busting strategies and resources.

Robyn Maciejewski is a nationally certified speech-language pathologist with a background in psychology and over two decades of experience supporting communication, cognition, and trauma recovery. She works with educators, therapists, and support partners to make burnout easier to understand — and healing easier to access. Her Think–Talk–Do™ framework blends clinical insight with lived experience, because real change starts with how we show up for each other.

More about Robyn.

Disclaimer: The content shared on this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed provider for support specific to your situation.

For mental health concerns please contact your doctor or therapist. Psychology Today is an excellent resource. Click here to find a mental health provider in your area.