Anyone who has been a teacher knows the work is hard, and at the same time — when work is working well — immensely rewarding. The work can be purposeful and filled with close relationships a vibrant communities.
No one enters the teaching profession to become rich and famous — they enter for the difference they will make.
And yet, our nation is facing a mental health crisis among our educators; one of burnout and demoralization. Many are operating in survival mode due to complete emotional exhaustion. The stressors they face are significant:
Safety concerns related to mass school shootings and drug use
Funding deficits
Labor shortage
Meeting escalating physical and emotional needs of students
Unrealistic expectations from districts and parents
Just to name a few…
Teachers’ well-being is something most communities overlook in their intention to always put students first. In this episode I speak with two school psychologists who express grave concern about educators’ psychological health and safety — and also make concrete suggestions on what we can do to help them.
