According to the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, the current teacher turnover rate is approaching 17%. Further, nearly 50% of all new teachers in the U.S. leave the teaching profession within their first five years of service. Many sources cite teacher burnout as a primary cause for teachers leaving the field. So, how can teachers who want to remain in the profession avoid feeling burnout? Here are some suggestions to help teachers recharge their batteries this summer.
Explore Non-Professional Pursuits
Have you forgotten what it feels like to read a book just for pleasure? Many teachers are so absorbed in teaching classes during the school year that personal pursuits fall by the wayside. But, remember, preserving your own vitality and reclaiming your zest for your own interests will ultimately benefit both you and your students. Your enthusiasm is bound to be contagious in the classroom. Summer vacation is an opportunity to rediscover these interests, which may include
- joining a community sports league
- conducting research on topics that sparked your curiosity during the school year
- embarking on a home improvement project
- traveling to a new locale
Volunteer in Your Community
Perhaps you originally became a teacher for the sheer joy of imparting knowledge to the next generation. Why not try recapturing this feeling by doing something you love? You may feel you do enough of this during the regular school year, but volunteer work can help nourish your spirit in a way that income-producing ventures cannot. Consider investigating local community service organizations or even volunteer opportunities that will allow you to serve in another country for a few weeks this summer.
Include the Great Outdoors in Your Summer Plans
Because teachers generally spend long hours indoors, they can end the school year feeling sluggish and drained. Help avoid teacher burnout by seeking a new perspective. Summertime provides many opportunities for venturing outside. Walking, gardening or even visiting your local parks are great ways to refresh yourself and reconnect with nature. The key is to establish a daily routine that gets you motivated to leave the house for an hour or two.
Cultivate a New Hobby
You may prefer to hone your focus by discovering a new favorite pastime. After all, teachers inspire the desire for learning. What better way to encourage students to pursue their interests than to model this behavior yourself? Discover a new passion beyond teaching. Have you considered pursuing the one dream you’ve never achieved? You don’t have to leave teaching to pursue a new life path.
Perhaps you love to travel, but you need to work within a tight budget. You can incorporate a new hobby such as photography or travel writing that may help fund your excursions. In fact, you don’t even have to take a trip to be a travel writer. Many travel writers begin by writing articles about locals, events, parks, restaurants. Fall in love with your community again! What about taking daytrips from your home and writing about your experiences? Your students will enjoy hearing about your experiences next fall – they might even inspire new lessons.
Preparation for the next school year is not limited to academic endeavors. While there are many professional development opportunities available, the benefits of personal development are manifold. Imagine yourself embarking on a new school year feeling enlivened and excited about learning new things. By communicating this energy and enthusiasm, you will foster a love of learning in your students – and perhaps even remind yourself why you became a teacher in the first place!
Source:
"NCTAF Policy Brief Says Teach Dropouts Cost Nation More Than $7 Billion Annually." National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, 2006.
Thadra Petkus - Thadra Petkus is currently a freelance writer, English teacher and mentor. Although she has taught students from age two through ...
