How many preschool teachers experience burnout?

Question

I am very burned out right now. I teach pre-k sunday school, teach the kids a midweek lesson while their parents have their own worship session. I babysit regularly, and I am so busy when I catch a cold (inevitable since I spend 75 percent of my time with preschoolers and babies) I can't fight it off. I was just wondering if anyone gets as burned out as I am right now. ugh! Luckily for me, I found a teacher for me for this next Sunday, I am so excited! I am freshman in high school by the way...

I believe VERY strongly that teaching is what God has in mind for me, and believe me, I have, already even, so much more experience than you could imagine! My mother taught pre-k for years and when I turned 9 I started helping out with her class. Everyone has ALWAYS said and random people consistently say that I work miracles with children. I know that just giving a color page out doesn't occupy for long. I know that there aren't many thigs that occupy for very long... I work tons more than I mentioned. I also clean my church/school, give up nearly every Friday night and Saturday to babysitting, and if I am NOT babysitting it is because I have a youth retreat or got lucky, and the weekends I ddon't babysit on Saturdays I do have to clean. In addition to that, I spend about an hour and a half each week cominh up with things to do. I do my laundry, keep my room clean, make dinner almost every night, talk to a couplefriends in and lead them in Godly counsel EACH night, regardless.

Answer 1

I am a senior in high school, and I can say that in my experience I too had this "burn-out." Mainly I have gotten over it, I believe as the kids which I first dealt with got old enough to remember and adore me, thank me, and all that loving stuff that makes me want to cry..... I realized that its worth it. Studies show that students who have a good pre-school and Kindergarten teachers are 100% more likely to do better in school, where as later on in life teachers can be bad without effecting students, at this level it is my, and I think your duty to do the best you can, and knowing that has gotten me through the "burn-out" you speak of and made me a great influence on the the children that I spend my time with.

Answer 2

Part of it is your age. You are pretty young and don't seem to be working enough to have burn out and I hope they are not leaving you alone as you really need more experience. You need to be taught some skills as to how to keep the kids busy. Sitting down coloring pages will not work for long. Especially if these kids don't go to school more often than once or twice a week. The method of teaching they use will also effect your stress level You need to keep the kids busy and active but going in the same direction. Singing seems to be a big thing in most churchs sunday schools you should get some kids tapes and put them on when things get too stressful. Preferibly the ones that are directed. I heard the vegi tales are christian based and they have some music tapes. I like steve and greg but it is not religious but it keeps kids busy and going in one direction.

I taught preschool in CA for 15 years and loved it. I had good days and bad days but I never considered quitting. I moved to Georgia a few years ago and that all changed. They throw away developmentaly appropriate practice in favor of sit down and shut up teaching. And the child to teacher ratio (the most clear cut measure of good childcare) is nearly 1 1/2 times the legal limit in CA. So I am a stay home mom now and much happier. I think Childcare is just not the direction God has for your life. We all have different skills, and can't be everything to everyone.

Answer 3

I think most of them do at one point or another. I know after 10 years of day-care (infant to school-age at various times) I just needed out. Now I'm in Kindergarten and loving it again. It may be that you're just not suited for pre-k... Best of luck in any decision! I also get sick a LOT, can't help it but Alka-seltzer plus cold and flu and Vick's vaporub are my lifelines! ;-)