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Have you experienced the following?

• insomnia

• extreme tiredness

• distancing yourself from colleagues and/or students

• no longer caring what happens as a result of your efforts

• an attitude shift to the cynical

• hostility

• taking more time to get less done

• depression

• drug/alcohol abuse

• mental breakdown

If you answered yes even once, you may be suffering from teacher burnout.

Teacher burnout is an issue that can have extremely detrimental effects on both teachers and students. A study into stress in Western Australian schools in 1987 found that 10 -20% of teachers suffered from psychological distress, with a further 9% of teachers suffering severe psychological distress (Howard & Johnson 2006).

According to Howard and Johnson the causes of teacher burnout can be attributed to poor student-teacher relationships, time pressure, role conflict, poor working conditions, lack of control/decision making power, poor collegiate relationships, feelings of personal inadequacy and extra organisational pressures. 

In discussing childhood development, it is important to look at student wellbeing relative to the relationship between students and teachers. This is in light of the DECS statement that “[w]ellbeing is central to learning, and learning is central to wellbeing” (DECS, p4), and within a framework of the rewards gained from inclusive, effective and engaging learning. 

If you read the material contained on this website and feel that you may be experiencing stress or burnout, please consult our resources page for further information and seek guidance from a trained mental health professional.