contributed by Vivian Ivey, Principal, Aloma High School, Orlando, FL
It’s no surprise that teachers are facing growing pressures.
They engage with diverse students, each bringing their own unique backgrounds, life experiences and personalities. In these potentially challenging circumstances, teachers often need support to prevent burnout, especially when facing personal hardships outside the classroom or navigating classroom conflicts.
With 26 years of experience in education, I’ve seen firsthand how education leaders can best support teachers and reduce burnout, allowing them to focus on what truly matters: making a lasting impact on students.
Throughout the years, I’ve learned a great deal about leadership by embracing the mistakes I’ve made and observing how different roles work together within the school environment. One standout lesson is that every student, teacher and staff member brings their own perspectives. Acknowledging this helps move away from a one-size-fits-all approach and creates an environment that supports teachers from all backgrounds, helping prevent burnout.
Here are a few strategies I’ve learned over the years to best support our teachers:
We’re all Navigating Challenges Outside of Work
Teachers, like everyone else, have lives outside of school. While I believe all teaching professionals arrive each day with the best intentions to teach and support their students, personal hardships can interfere and lead to burnout quicker.
When teachers begin to feel burnout approaching, they often need to feel understood and supported. This is where administrators need to meet them where they are to offer a helping hand. Support can look like providing a quiet space to regroup, offering a listening ear or showing empathy.
For example, a few years back, I noticed that a new teacher often arrived late, so I simply asked her if there was anything I could do to support her. From this question, I discovered she has a child with a disability who needs extra assistance in the morning. I then offered to stand in for the first 15 minutes so the teacher could focus on what’s important before she begins teaching for the day.
Classroom Dynamics
Discipline is key to preventing burnout. Teachers who face constant behavior issues are more likely to burn out. It’s crucial they don’t feel isolated. Quick intervention, such as removing a disruptive student or offering support, helps teachers regain control.
Given the diverse backgrounds of students and teachers, matching them based on personalities and teaching styles is important. Some teachers excel in structured environments, while others manage behavioral issues better. School leaders must understand these dynamics and ensure the best fit.
Recognizing Teachers for Their Hard Work
Having a recognition program in place not only highlights outstanding teachers but also gives staff positive incentives. At our school, we award special trophies for achievements like best credits or highest attendance. While not everyone can earn a trophy, we make an effort to provide personal shoutouts and recognition, such as writing thank-you notes or using other ideas I’ve found on social media. Small gestures, like thanking a teacher for staying late to help a student grasp a difficult concept, can make a big impact.
Leading by Example
Teachers appreciate a leader who isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and dive in when needed. As a principal, I’ve had to step into classrooms to cover for teachers when they’re absent or overwhelmed, and I believe this mutual respect helps build a positive culture. Teachers who see their leaders actively engaged in the day-to-day operations of the school, whether it’s dealing with a challenging student or covering a class, are more likely to feel supported and appreciated.
Encourage Problem-Solving and Ownership
When challenges arise, I encourage teachers to bring solutions to me, not just problems. Empowering teachers to think critically about how to address issues, whether it’s classroom management, time constraints or student behavior, helps them take ownership of their role and builds confidence. This strategy also helps teachers meet leaders halfway by expressing their needs, enabling leaders to develop a solution faster.
The pressure on teachers is real, especially as the school year winds down, but there are steps we can take as leaders and colleagues to provide the support they need to finish strong. At the end of the day, when teachers are supported, students thrive and schools succeed.
