Educator Burnout
As if the field of education did not already have its challenges, 2020 put fuel on the fire. You went to school to become a teacher (or have your degree in something else and then obtained certification later). You may have always dreamed of teaching and had high hopes regarding your future career. However, recent stressors in the field may have you questioning your decision. You may enjoy teaching (or being a school administrator or at central office) but the challenges have felt overwhelming. Whether dealing with student behavior (directly or indirectly), aggressive adult interactions, or other issues, your day does not end when it ends. Even if you are not working in the evenings, your job is still on your mind….and that never stops.
You ma find yourself weighing the benefits of your career vs the stressors and wondering what your next steps should be. You may not be sure what the next move is…staying where you are, transferring campuses or districts or leaving the field altogether. At the same time, you may feel too overwhelmed to feel that you are in a position to make a wise decision. Even if you know what you want, you may experience doubts about your decision.
Therapy can help…
When we are in “survival mode”, it is a common mistake to make a rash decision because we are trying to survive the moment. Later, if we decide it was the wrong decision (or even if it was the right one), it can cause us to doubt what we decided due to the state of mind that we were in at the time. Therapy can help by exploring how any childhood or personal issues may be exacerbating work-related stress and vice versa. It is also an opportunity to share your true feelings in a non-judgmental space. When being able to share without fear of judgment, it can bring clarity to the choices that lie ahead. When we make decisions from our brilliance rather than our survival, we can carry that level of confidence into whatever our next steps may be, whether we stay or go.
Whether you are in the midst of wondering what you should do or whether you are already taking your next steps, please do not hesitate to reach out. The initial 15-minute phone consultation is free and no commitment is necessary.