Monthly Archives: August 2023

Aug7

Starting the School Year Right: Safeguarding Teachers’ Mental Health

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As teachers, we often pour our hearts and souls into educating and nurturing our students. However, it’s equally important to prioritize our own mental health. The beginning of a new school year is an opportune time to establish healthy habits that will support us throughout the year. We will explore some essential steps for teachers to start off the school year right and safeguard their mental well-being.

Reflect on Past Experiences

Before diving into a new school year, take some time to reflect on your previous experiences as an educator. All too often the hectic pace of the school year can make reflection challenging. So before the year begins, take a some time to breathe thought into those times of the school year that brought you the most joy, connection and feeling of accomplishment. Then reflect on times when you felt the differently. Perhaps you felt discouraged, disconnected or defeated. Identify what worked well for you and your students. Then recognize some areas where you can use those positive experiences to make improvements. This reflection allows you to set realistic expectations while addressing any lingering concerns or negative emotions from the past.

Set Realistic Goals

Setting achievable goals for yourself is crucial for maintaining a positive mindset throughout the year. Avoid overcommitting by prioritizing a few specific goals that align with your overall teaching philosophy. Make these objectives measurable and break them down into smaller milestones, allowing yourself to celebrate progress along the way. Celebrations are so important in our profession. We celebrate our students, but so rarely do we do that for ourselves.

Establish Boundaries

Teachers are known for going above and beyond, but it’s vital not to let work consume every aspect of your life. Set clear boundaries between work and personal time by establishing cutoff hours for responding to emails or grading papers outside of regular working hours. Protecting personal time allows you to recharge, relax, and engage in activities that bring you joy.

It reminds me of the story of two woodcutters. It is a cute story and well worth the read (https://screeble.com/blog/2017/03/07/story-of-two-woodcutters/#:~:text=Every%20time%20I%20stopped%20work,to%20sharpen%20the%20%E2%80%9Caxe%E2%80%9D.).

Cultivate Supportive Relationships

Building strong relationships with colleagues is essential for emotional support during challenging times. Collaborate with fellow teachers in your building, through mentorship programs, or you can join professional networks where you can share ideas and seek advice when needed. By fostering supportive relationships within the education community, you create a network of individuals who understand the unique challenges teachers face.

The year schools opened once again for students, but Covid was still a significant issue we were all facing, I was at a tough school. We had some of the lowest vaccination rates, and some of the highest incident rates for Covid. Teachers were stressed by the lack of funding and the unsafe conditions at work. Student behaviors were unprecedentedly high. We were told to be trauma informed for the students, but there was little attention, mention, or support for teacher trauma. We saw people melting down all around us. In these circumstances I was able to form close relationships with two colleagues. We would eat lunch in my room almost daily, socially distanced of course. We touched base throughout the day, supported each other with resource development and student discipline. The thing I appreciated most was meeting at the end of each day to say to each other three things that went well, or that we appreciated about our day. It helped cap off our day, and supported us in leaving work on a positive note. Within a few years we had all moved on to other schools, but it sure helped us get through those darkest of days.

Practice Self-Care

The demands of teaching can be overwhelming, but prioritizing self-care is vital. Make time for activities that help you relax and recharge outside of work hours. Engage in hobbies, exercise regularly, practice mindfulness or meditation, and ensure you are getting enough sleep. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being will ultimately enhance your effectiveness as a teacher.

A few years ago I went to a psychologist convinced I was depressed. He said to me, “I think you are burnt out.” It goes back to the story of the two woodcutters. You need to take time to sharpen your axe. Working with my therapist, I learned to rest, relax and slowly recover. What I discovered is that by doing self-care, I could be more efficient. I could also be more joyful.

As teachers embark on a new school year, it’s essential to prioritize their own mental health alongside their dedication to educating students. All the best tackling a new year ahead of you.

Aug4

Teacher Decision Fatigue

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Education is the cornerstone of societal progress and development, fostering a well-informed, skilled, and critical-thinking citizenry. It plays a crucial role in shaping young minds and preparing them for the future. It empowers individuals with knowledge, equips them with essential life skills, and cultivates a sense of curiosity and lifelong learning, ultimately leading to greater economic prosperity, social cohesion, and a more enlightened and thriving society. However, behind the scenes, teachers often face an unseen battle called decision fatigue. Let’s explore what teacher decision fatigue entails, its impact on educators’ well-being and effectiveness, and strategies to mitigate its effects.

Understanding Teacher Decision Fatigue
Teacher decision fatigue refers to the mental exhaustion resulting from making countless decisions throughout the school day. From designing lesson plans to managing student behavior, evaluating assignments, and collaborating with colleagues, teachers are constantly required to make choices that directly impact their students’ education and well-being.

The Impact on Teachers:
Many teachers will describe a reality where at the end of their work day they are overwhelmed by the idea that they need to make one more decision. What do you want for dinner? I don’t know. Where should we go out? Wherever you want? The impact of decision fatigue can spill over in to teacher’s professional lives.

1. Reduced Cognitive Abilities: As teachers experience decision fatigue, their cognitive abilities decline. They may struggle to think clearly or logically when faced with complex problems or unexpected challenges.
2. Decreased Creativity: When exhausted by constant decision-making, teachers find it difficult to think outside the box or come up with innovative teaching methods.
3. Emotional Exhaustion: Decision fatigue takes an emotional toll on educators, leading to increased stress levels and decreased job satisfaction.
4. Impaired Judgment: Under the weight of decision fatigue, even experienced teachers may start making poor judgments or rash decisions due to mental exhaustion.

Factors Contributing to Teacher Decision Fatigue:

Teaching is no easy feat – it’s a juggling act of diverse challenges and responsibilities. From tailoring lessons to suit each student’s needs to managing classroom dynamics and staying updated with the latest educational trends, it’s a constant whirlwind of decisions and adaptability. Being an effective teacher calls for a mix of know-how, empathy, and a passion for inspiring young minds. It’s a profession that demands heart and dedication to nurturing students’ growth intellectually, socially, and emotionally.

Top Three Reasons for Decision Fatigue:
1. Overwhelming Workload: Teachers are responsible for various aspects beyond classroom instruction, including administrative tasks, meetings, grading papers, and communicating with parents.
2. Limited Autonomy: Often bound by strict curriculum guidelines or administrative policies, teachers have limited freedom to make certain decisions aligned with their expertise.
3. Pressure for Perfection: The desire to provide the best possible education for each student can be overwhelming and contribute significantly to decision fatigue.

Mitigating Teacher Decision Fatigue:

In the dynamic landscape of education, supporting teachers to deliver their best is a pivotal responsibility for school leaders. One crucial aspect of this support is recognizing and addressing decision fatigue among educators. By understanding the toll that constant decision-making takes on teachers’ well-being and effectiveness, school leaders can implement strategies to mitigate decision fatigue’s impact.

What Administrators Can Do:
1. Streamline Administrative Tasks: Schools can support teachers by reducing administrative burdens, implementing efficient systems for paperwork, and providing necessary resources to simplify routine tasks.
2. Encourage Collaboration and Resource Sharing: By fostering a culture of collaboration among educators, schools can create opportunities for sharing ideas, lesson planning, and dividing responsibilities.
3. Prioritize Decision-Making: Teachers should prioritize decisions that have the most significant impact on student learning while delegating or automating low-stakes choices wherever possible.
4. Self-Care and Well-being: It is essential for teachers to take care of their physical and mental health through regular exercise, sufficient sleep, mindfulness practices, and hobbies outside of work.


Teacher decision fatigue is a hidden obstacle faced by many educators in their daily lives. Acknowledging this phenomenon is crucial to promoting the well-being and effectiveness of our teachers. By understanding its causes and implementing strategies to mitigate its effects, we can help create an environment where educators can thrive, resulting in better educational outcomes for students. Let us appreciate the dedication and hard work of our teachers while advocating for changes that alleviate decision fatigue’s burden on their shoulders.