TEACHER BURNOUT: How to Avoid it and Enjoy Teaching

Natalie Spencer, MEd, LPC

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What is

Burnout ?

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Burnout is a state of

emotional, mental, and

physical exhaustion caused by

excessiveand prolonged

stress.

As stress continues , you begin to lose the interest or motivation

that led you to take on a certain role in the first place.

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The National Commission on Teaching and

America’s Future has calculated that

nearly a 1/3 of all new teachers

leave the profession after just 3

years, and that after 5 yearsalmost half are gone.

NY Times,2008

Stress vs. Burnout

Stress Burnout

Characterized by over

engagement

Characterized by disengagement

Emotions are over reactive Emotions are blunted

Loss of energy Produces helplessness and

hopelessness

Leads to anxiety disorders Leads to detachment and

depression

Primary damage is physical Primary damage is emotional

May kill you prematurely May make life seem not worth

living

Source: Stress and Burnout in the Ministry

Consequences

Burnout results in lowquality of

teaching.

`a~How Do You Handle

Stress?

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What Can

You Do?

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FIND A

MENTOR

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Learn To Say NO

Get Plenty of Sleep

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TRY SOMETHING

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Create

RealisticTo Do

Lists

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Talk To Someone

POSITIVE!!

Professional Development

Leave Teachingat

Schoolhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/slayer23/3534125162/

Celebrate What It Means To

Be A Teacher!

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What Are You Going To Do?

Take a few

minutes

and think

about what

we

discussed.

How will you avoid

burnout as you

begin your teaching career?

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Thank You.http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/3924852858/sizes/l/in/set-72157594186207104/

Sources

About.com

www.helpguide.org/mental/burnout