contributed by Vivian IveyPrincipal, Aloma High School, Orlando, FL
It is no surprise that teachers face increasing pressures.
They engage with diverse students, each with their own backgrounds, life experiences, and unique personalities. In these potentially challenging circumstances, teachers often need support to prevent burnout, especially when facing personal difficulties outside the classroom or facing conflict in the classroom.
With 26 years of experience in education, I have seen firsthand how educational leaders can better support teachers and reduce burnout, allowing them to focus on what really matters: making a lasting impact on students.
Over the years, I have learned a lot about leadership by accepting the mistakes I made and observing how different roles work together within the school environment. One notable lesson is that each student, teacher, and staff member brings their own perspectives. Recognizing this helps move away from a one-size-fits-all approach and creates an environment that supports teachers of all backgrounds, helping to prevent burnout.
Here are some strategies I have learned over the years to better support our teachers:
We all face challenges outside of work
Teachers, like everyone else, live outside of school. While I believe that all teaching professionals arrive each day with the best intentions to teach and support their students, personal difficulties can get in the way and cause burnout more quickly.
When teachers begin to feel burnout approaching, they often need to feel understood and supported. This is where administrators should meet with them to offer a hand. Support can be providing a quiet space to regroup, offering a listening ear, or showing empathy.
For example, a few years ago, I noticed that a new teacher was often late, so I simply asked her if there was anything I could do to support her. From this question, I found out that you have a child with a disability who needs extra help in the morning. Then I offered to fill in for her for the first 15 minutes so the teacher could focus on what’s important before she starts teaching that day.
Classroom dynamics
Discipline is key to preventing burnout. Teachers who face constant behavioral problems are more likely to burn out. It is essential that they do not feel isolated. Quick intervention, such as removing a problematic student or offering support, helps teachers regain control.
Given the diverse backgrounds of students and teachers, it is important to match them according to their personalities and teaching styles. Some teachers excel in structured environments, while others handle behavioral problems better. School leaders must understand these dynamics and ensure the best adaptation.
Recognizing teachers for their hard work
Having a recognition program in place not only highlights outstanding teachers but also provides staff with positive incentives. At our school, we award special trophies for achievements such as better credits or higher attendance. While not everyone can win a trophy, we strive to provide personal thanks and recognition, such as writing thank you notes or using other ideas I found on social media. Small gestures, like thanking a teacher for staying late to help a student understand a difficult concept, can have a big impact.
Lead by example
Teachers appreciate a leader who is not afraid to roll up their sleeves and dive in when necessary. As a principal, I have had to go into classrooms to cover for teachers when they are absent or overwhelmed, and I believe this mutual respect helps build a positive culture. Teachers who see their leaders actively involved in the daily operations of the school, whether 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 me solutions, not just problems. Training teachers to think critically about how to approach problems, whether classroom management, time constraints or student behaviour, helps them take ownership of their role and builds confidence. This strategy also helps teachers reach a middle ground when expressing their needs, allowing them to develop a solution faster.
The pressure on teachers is real, especially as the school year comes to a close, but there are steps we can take as leaders and colleagues to give them the support they need to finish strong. After all, when teachers are supported, students thrive and schools succeed.
