Ned's Declassified: Burnout Survival Guide

 

    Growing up, I loved watching a show on Nickelodeon called Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide. This show was about a middle school student named Ned and his friends who tried navigating the triumphs and struggles of being in middle school. Throughout the show, Ned shared tips on tackling challenges he faced. I was a major fan of this show and believe that, as teachers, we could also benefit from simple and practical tips. Today, I am hoping to help all of you tackle a common challenge that teachers face: avoiding being burnt out from teaching. Just like the T.V. show that I loved watching when I was growing up, I hope you take these five tips into your life and avoid being burnt out from education. 

    I truly believe that most teachers get into teaching for all of the right reasons. Most of the time, this reason relates to wanting to help our students be successful. If you are like me, you had a teacher that impacted you profoundly as a student, and inspired you to become a teacher. However, there is a world of adversities in teaching that are not discussed. In most jobs, the workday ends when you leave the building. However, teaching has a unique situation where it can feel like the job is truly never over. Whether it's coaching, extra-curriculars, grading assignments, planning lessons, these responsibilities extend beyond our job in the classroom. This leads me to my first tip, setting boundaries to protect your peace.

1. Setting Boundaries

    Setting boundaries is very important for teachers in "maintaining the balance between professional life in the classroom and personal life outside of school" (Catchings, 2024). As an educator, you need to be able to enjoy your personal life and to not let the job consume you. Some of the best ways to do this are by establishing set times that you can be reached by students and parents. Consider establishing 5 p.m. as the cutoff time for checking emails from parents or students. Also consider staying 30 minutes to an hour after school so that students can come talk to you if they have concerns. Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining your mental health as a teacher, and establishing these boundaries will help your students and parents respect your personal life. 

2. Walk a Mile in My Shoes (Exercising) 

    One of the best ways that I have found to make myself feel better is by working out. This workout does not have to be intense at all. Typically, walking a mile a day is all I need. You may be thinking that you do not have the time to do this, but I think you are wrong. As a large man with beat up knees, it typically takes me no longer than 20 minutes to walk a mile. In this time, I listen to podcasts, listen to music, or walk in silence and reflect on my day. I believe it's essential to set aside personal time, and for me, walking a mile a day does the trick. After I am done, I feel relaxed and re-energized!

3. Treat Yo Self - Parks and Rec

    One of my favorite shows of all time is Parks and Recreation. In the show, two of the characters (Tom and Donna), have a yearly day where they "treat themselves" to anything that they want. They do this as a reward for their work. I also believe that as teachers, we should also indulge in personal rewards for our work. Much of the work you do as a teacher goes unnoticed. It can feel like a thankless job at times. I think that all teachers should treat themselves. Whether this is buying a book, food item, sports or music tickets, or any reward that you see fit, you should do it. You deserve one day to reward yourself for your hard work. 

4. Develop Good Time Management 

    Most teachers I have worked with struggle with time management. I think one of the easiest ways to combat this is by creating a daily schedule. This can help improve productivity, lesson planning, grading assignments, and providing time for self-care. Easy ways to foster good time management are through the use of calendars, to-do lists, and time-tracking apps. When creating this schedule, Point Loma Nazarene University recommends to not "overcommit yourself. Be realistic about what you can accomplish within a given timeframe and to avoid physical and emotional exhaustion. By practicing time management skills, teachers can create a balanced and sustainable work-life routine, which will promote long-term well-being and career fulfillment. Doing so may reduce your risk of experiencing burnout" (2025). 

5. Prioritize your Mental Health

    The last of the tips is probably the most important one in my eyes. Life is challenging, and it is even more challenging if you try to go through it on your own. You need healthy ways to reflect on your life and improve your well-being. Maybe this is through a daily journal, where you can express your emotions through writing. Maybe this is by talking to fellow teachers, friends, or family members who can help you feel better. Or, the thing I recommend the most is talking to a therapist. Even though it can seem scary to talk about your struggles with a stranger, it is truly their job to help you. There are plenty of resources you can use such as Betterhelp, that can help you reflect on the stresses of teaching with a trained professional. 

The Conclusion and What's Next?

    I hope that these five tips can help you to avoid being burnt out in your classroom. Being a teacher is one of the most rewarding jobs, but also has a ton of adversities that are not discussed. These five tips have helped me, and are ways that I support myself as an educator. 

    Next week's blog will be Social Media 101: Do's and Don'ts of Social Media. This blog will discuss how to run a personal social media as a teacher. This is a topic that is becoming important for teachers as technology continues to expand. I hope you all enjoy your week, relax for the Super Bowl, and use these tips to support yourself in your daily life. 

References

“5 Ways to Prevent Burnout as a Teacher.” Point Loma Nazarene University, www.pointloma.edu/resources/education/5-ways-prevent-burnout-teacher.

Better Help. “BetterHelp | Professional Counseling with a Licensed Therapist.” Betterhelp.com, 2024, www.betterhelp.com/.

Catchings, Cynthia V. “Self-Care for Teachers: 11 Tips from Experts — Talkspace.” Talkspace, 24 Oct. 2024, www.talkspace.com/blog/self-care-for-teachers/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

Parks and Recreation .“Treat Yo Self | Parks and Recreation.” Www.youtube.com, 22 June 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSjM5B3QNlw.