Sometimes, teaching is more like bombardment: Grading hundreds of essays, placating disgruntled parents, accommodating learning needs, sweating out the principals’ nerve-wracking classroom observation. And then there are the stressors of life beyond the classroom.
Being a teacher can be tough. It is rewarding but also overwhelming and, at times, can take a personal and professional toll.
But that doesn’t have to be, explained educator Justin Ashley in the edWebinar “Catching Happiness: How to Work Through Burnout and Be a Joy-Filled Teacher.” Ashley shared ways to counteract teacher burnout to build socio-emotional health and increase happiness.
Related content: Keep stress at bay–keep calm and teach
Ashley was a teacher burnout victim. His fallout was severe: He became addicted to prescription drugs, wasn’t spending time with his family, didn’t sleep enough, and finally landed in rehab, his life having come undone. His is a cautionary tale for teachers. How do they walk the fine line between professional and personal well-being?
- The power of one: How the school librarian can help schools do more with less - October 20, 2026
- Why learning can’t stop when the lesson ends - October 19, 2026
- The future of educational equity isn’t just more resources–it’s more access to experiences - October 16, 2026