What Is Teacher Burnout? Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

Are you feeling unmotivated and detached as a teacher? You might be experiencing burnout. Learn how to identify the signs of burnout and create a healthy, manageable school-work environment.

Teacher burnout is increasingly becoming more of an issue in the teaching profession, impacting both educators and student outcomes. With increasing job demands, insufficient support, and a growing teacher shortage, the mental and emotional well-being of educators is under significant threat. It’s important for new teachers, seasoned teachers, and school administrators to understand this phenomenon to create a healthier, more sustainable education system. Here is an explanation of the causes, symptoms, and consequences of burnout among teachers, as well as strategies to prevent teacher burnout and improve teacher retention. 

What is teacher burnout?

Teacher burnout refers to a state of chronic physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress in the teaching environment. It’s closely linked to emotional exhaustion, job stress, and a general sense of discontent with the profession. The National Education Association (NEA) defines educator burnout as a serious issue affecting the student learning environment and leading to increased teacher attrition. Burnout is about more than just feeling tired; it has profound implications for the quality of education delivered in schools.

What are the causes of teacher burnout?

There’s no single cause of burnout, but rather a complex interplay of factors that contribute to an educator’s stress. Here are the five main causes. 

1. Workload and lesson planning

The sheer volume of lesson planning, grading, and administrative tasks can overwhelm even the most dedicated teachers. Many educators’ work extends past just the school day, spending countless hours in the evenings and on weekends preparing lesson plans and managing paperwork. These behind-the-scenes responsibilities often go unnoticed but are essential to maintaining effective instruction. This extended workload leaves little time for rest, personal life, or meaningful recovery, contributing significantly to teacher burnout and long-term emotional exhaustion. 

2. Class size and classroom management

Large class sizes can make effective classroom management a constant struggle, limiting a teacher’s ability to meet the personal needs of each student. With more students comes more grading, more behavioral issues, and more paperwork, often without additional support. This combination increases daily stress and contributes to the overall sense of burnout many teachers’ experience. 

3. Staffing shortages and teacher absence

The ongoing staffing shortage only worsens the situation of teacher burnout. When teachers are absent, responsibilities are often redistributed among already overburdened colleagues. This added pressure increases overall teacher stress and can lead to even more absences, creating a cycle that strains the entire school community and undermines the stability students need for academic success. 

4. Student behavior and engagement

Managing student behavior and sustaining student engagement, especially in secondary school or high school settings, demands constant emotional energy and vigilance. Over time, the effort to keep students focused, motivated, and on task can take a significant toll, contributing to the gradual buildup of emotional exhaustion and burnout. 

5. Lack of professional development and support

Many educators report having limited access to meaningful professional development and consistent education support, which makes it difficult to keep up with evolving curriculum standards, advances in instructional design, and the integration of new classroom technologies. Without adequate training and resources, teachers often feel unprepared and overwhelmed, further fueling stress and dissatisfaction in the process. 

What are the teacher burnout symptoms?

It’s important to be able to identify the symptoms of teacher burnout to intervene as soon as possible. Here are some common indicators.

1. Chronic fatigue and exhaustion

2. Detachment or cynicism toward students

3. Declining performance in teaching

4. Increased teacher absence

5. Depression or anxiety

6. Lack of satisfaction in the profession

Who is most affected by teacher burnout?

While burnout can affect all educators, certain groups are at higher risk. Many new educators enter the profession full of enthusiasm and passion for teaching, but are soon overwhelmed by the complex and demanding realities of the classroom environment. Without adequate teacher education, ongoing mentorship, and support systems, these new teachers face a significantly higher risk of experiencing educator burnout, which can lead to early career dissatisfaction and even departure from the profession.

Also, female teachers frequently balance demanding caregiving responsibilities at home alongside their full-time teaching roles. This dual burden can lead to increased emotional exhaustion, higher levels of job stress, and greater overall dissatisfaction with their work-life balance, making them particularly vulnerable to teacher burnout. 

How does teacher burnout impact student outcomes?

Teacher burnout doesn’t just impact educators, it has a direct and lasting effect on students as well. When teachers are exhausted and overwhelmed, they struggle to maintain high levels of student engagement, create effective and inspiring lesson plans, or respond with the empathy and patience that students need. High rates of teacher burnout are often associated with poorer student outcomes, including lower test scores, decreased motivation, and an increase in behavioral problems in the classroom.

How to prevent teacher burnout

Addressing burnout requires systemic changes, but there are also practical steps schools and teachers themselves can take to make their jobs less demanding and more enjoyable. Here are five steps and strategies.

1. Reduce teacher workload

Streamlining administrative tasks, providing dedicated prep time during the school day, and reducing class sizes are all essential steps to alleviate teacher workload. Additionally, encouraging collaboration among educators on lesson planning can help distribute responsibilities more evenly and lighten the overall burden on teachers. 

2. Offer ongoing support for educators

Providing teachers with consistent access to comprehensive education support, along with structured mentorship programs specifically designed for new teachers, creates a foundation for professional growth and confidence. Coupled with wellness initiatives that focus on mental health, stress management, and self-care, these resources are important for helping educators prevent emotional fatigue and build resilience against the pressures that often lead to educator burnout. 

3. Promote work-life balance

Encouraging clear boundaries between work and professional life, such as setting expectations that teachers are not required to respond to emails or complete tasks outside of school hours, plays a vital role in managing job stress. Respecting these boundaries helps educators recharge, supports their overall mental health, and reduces the risk of burnout over the course of the demanding school year.

4. Invest in professional development

Providing quality professional development opportunities in key areas such as instructional design, trauma-informed teaching practices, and effective classroom management techniques is essential for keeping educators empowered and motivated. These targeted trainings not only enhance teachers’ skills but also boost their confidence, helping them adapt to diverse student needs and maintain high levels of engagement throughout the school year.

5. Seek mental health services when needed

Offering accessible in-school counseling services or establishing partnerships with external mental health providers can play a crucial role in addressing the significant emotional toll that the teaching profession often takes on educators. These mental health resources provide teachers with a safe space to process stress, develop coping strategies, and receive the support needed to maintain their well-being and effectiveness in the classroom.

How Charlie Health can help

If you or a loved one is struggling with burnout, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides more than once-weekly mental health treatment for dealing with serious mental health conditions, including depression, burnout, chronic stress, and more. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With treatment, managing your mental health is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.