Is ‘changing lives’ contributing to your teacher burnout?

In the run up to the return to school, I saw so many posts reminding people working in schools that they were returning to kids who would be so excited to see them; who would have been thinking about them the whole summer. As someone who spent a decade in a school where we had plenty of those kids for whom school was a sanctuary, I can relate to seeing something like this and it motivating me – and I know that’s the intention behind the post.

And this kind of ‘changing lives’ language is so common in education. It’s common, because it’s true.

The hidden cost of “changing lives”

But let’s just pause for a moment and look at it without the emotional attachment we inevitably build as empathic women working inside or outside the classroom. Because you care, of course you care – deeply. But I do wonder whether being reminded of your impact on the kids you work with feeds into that sense you have of giving your ‘all’ to the job. And it may just be part of the reason you’re living on the edge of burnout and wondering whether you’ll make it through the year.

It’s what stops you from calling in sick even though you can hardly get out of bed – because you know that boy who’s new to Year 7 won’t settle without you. It’s the reason you’re checking CPOMS on a Saturday night because you’re second-guessing the conversation you logged on Friday afternoon. And it’s what’s making you zone-out of a chat with your best friend because you just can’t possibly take on any more emotional load.

Yes, you’re changing lives – but here’s the caveat

So yes, you really are ‘changing lives’ out there. You know it. But, let’s caveat that…

This is not your responsibility. It’s not in your job description to have all the kids you teach, support or safeguard rely solely on you. It’s a collective effort of the whole school community.

What your responsibility actually is

What IS your responsibility? To be the calm, measured, knowledgeable adult in the room – and that means taking care of yourself in order to be the best that you can, whatever your role.

Having a life and experiencing joy outside of the job
Caring for a nervous system that bounces back after stress
And knowing how to accept, ‘That’ll do,’ and switching off to protect your time.

So consider this your permission. Permission to go to work, do your job, and come home with the general sense that you didn’t really change anyone’s life today (though we know you really did – even on your worst days).

And if you’re running on empty, my wellbeing coaching for teachers and pastoral staff can help. Book a chat to find out more.