First Year Teacher Burnout?

Question

I'm a first year teacher (teaching high school English, speech and drama and running the drama dept.). I was so looking forward to Thanksgiving break and now I'm finding that I don't want to go back. I thought I would be rested up with my time off, but now I'm burned out.

Is it going to get better? Did anyone else suffer through this? Help!!

tomtomj6: I'm not whining. I'm not trying to get out of my contract. I really like what I do. I'm asking if this is normal and what I should do. If I ask to only teach college prep English and drop the speech and drama, they'll find someone else who WILL teach all of them. Just as a "math" teacher will be expected to teach different types of math, such as algebra, calculus, geometry, etc., as an English teacher you can't walk into an interview and say, "I'm only going to teach 10th grade English Comp."

Thanks for the advice, but you didn't really answer what I asked.

NOTE: Please only answer if you are a teacher. Although I'm sure everyone has great advice to give, until you've been behind the desk you don't really know what it's like.

Answer 1

This is soooooo common with first year teachers that they even have a name for it - "disillusionment phase" I believe it is called. I am in my 3rd year and about March of my first year someone gave me this arcticle to read- "Phases of a first year teacher". Basically everyone I know in their first year has felt like you do at this time of year and don't be surprised if you get sick soon (if you haven't already) just to add more stress to what you are already feeling.

Hang in there- it does get better...promise :-). That said I let alot of things go during my second year and that made a big difference. And now in my third year I am much better at prioritizing and it is even better...but I don't want to go back to work tomorrow either and will be spending this afternoon preparing lessons for this week. I'm sure by tomorrow afternoon I will be right back in the swing of things though and just think...only a few more weeks and you get another break for Christmas.

Feel free to email me if you want to get stuff off your chest too. I know it helped alot just being able to whine a little and get some sympathy from friends and family :-)

Answer 2

Burnout is very common in first year teachers. In fact, it is common no matter how long you have been teaching.

Each day make time for yourself. Do something that you enjoy. It can be a hobby or excercise or whatever. Remember you have to take care of yourself first.

Think of the positive aspects about your job. Something inspired you to become a teacher. Use that information to help you start each morning. I always tell myself, "the day I don't look forward to going in to school, is the day I quit."

I use my student's energy to energize myself. IThey help motivate me to do great things. 've been working for a while and I have been through the burnout stage many times. If you stay positive, it will help you go a long way. I agree with the others about cutting back the extra duties and volunteering. It is alright to say no. No administrator is going to give up their time every single night (for free).

Hang in there!!! Christmas is coming soon!! This time of year will fly by. Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

First year teaching is always miserable. You have so much on your plate and so many questions. Try to find a trusted person to talk to and ask for guidance (I mean really really know and trust. Teachers will throw you under the bus if they have dirt on you)I promise you it does get better, and it is unfair your school dumped so much on you. Once you get in the groove (takes a few years) teaching is a breeze. Just hang tough. I can't say I did the same. I taught 3 years then became a vice-principal because it was easier than being a teacher.

Answer 4

Your first year is always very tough. Most of us went through this. I've been teaching for over 20 years, and I don't want to go back on Monday either.
But once you get there, things fall into place and you do what you have to do.
I have one suggestion--don't take on so much...don't say yes everytime someone asks for a favor (from administration). Your lesson plans might not be dynamite for this year, and that's okay. They will improve with experience. Don't try to be perfect. Break down what you have to do into smaller steps. Don't look at what you need to do in June...instead, what needs to be done by December break.
It does get better...your second year is a little better, and then by your third year, you will be a pro!

Answer 5

That stinks,
1) Why are you doing so much as a first year teacher? Shouldn't you be focused on TEACHING, and not running a department?
2) You ought to finish your contract out.
3) Next year, teach... nothing else.... teach. No extras. It is practically gospel that the first 3-5 years are the hardest.
4) Consider talking with your administrator about reducing classes taught, or going more single subject. Perhaps take less than a FT contract if you can afford it.
5) Consider looking into another district.
6) Work on time management

Do you see where I am going with this? I'm trying to encourage you not to just drop the ball after what, 2 months? You have to try to make it work for you. You're still easing into the profession. Give it a chance, quit being superwoman, and just teach.

Answer 6

I've been teaching English for almost thirty years. The first few years are tough, and it easy to burn yourself out.

Here's one of the dirty little secrets they never tell you in teacher school-- if you're good, you'll always have a pretty good idea of what needs to be done, and you'll never be able to do it.

What the job requires (particularly of an English teacher who must teach writing) is not humanly possible to achieve. So you must first decide what compromises you're willing to make-- what part of the work will you do a less-than-perfect job on? And then you have to make peace with that.

Maybe you'll give fewer writing assignments, or give them back with fewer comments than you'd like. Maybe you'll cover less literature than you know you ought to. Maybe you will cover something with a unit that you know is a bit lame.

The longer you teach, the better you'll get. In particular, you'll be able to read and assess student writing much more quickly. You'll learn to recognize certain situations and problems and deal with them before they turn into giant messes. In drama, you'll know your stable of performers better, and you'll learn a larger repertoire of tricks and materials to use with them.

It does get better. Teaching today requires strong self-motivation, because most of the places that are supposed to provide support (administration, parents, government, etc) provide obstacles instead. It's a bit like guerrilla warfare, and you have to really want it. It is possible that teaching isn't really for you. But if it is, it does get better after the first few years.

Answer 7

I understand. I'm a teacher as well and this little vacation didn't last very long at all. Nobody really understands how hard teaching is until they've tried it.
This is no time to act like you are perfect or don't need help.
Are you the only English teacher at this school? If you could contact other high school English teachers at your school or a local school and call them for advice, that would be helpful.
Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep, good food, and gentle exercise each day. Do you have a mentor or therapist to talk with? A phone buddy every night for even just 15 minutes would help.
Conserve your energy as much as possible. Speak only when necessary.
I totally agree with the guy who said that you will have to be mediocre on some areas of your job to survive.
Here's some fitness tips:
Here are some good ideas:
1. Do something that gets your heart rate up a bit like, walking, running, biking, and swimming.
2. Eat Whole, Organic foods like: Broccoli, Cabbage, Organic Brown Rice, Beans, Spinach, Sweet Potato, Apples, and other fruits and vegetables in their Natural State.
3. Avoid eating corn, white bread, white rice, white potatoes, candy, sodas, chips, and anything else that you already know you shouldn’t be eating.
4. Drink clean water as your beverage of choice. Avoid Fruit drinks and fruit juices (unless YOU juice them yourself)
5. Stop smoking, drinking beer & wine, and drinking coffee.
6. Get 8 hours of sleep each night.
7. Hang out with people who want to be healthy.
8. Avoid anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Tone up the muscles:

1. Join a gym and get a trainer.
2. If you’re short on cash, start a light stretching & yoga regimen.
3. Do push-ups, and light dumbbell curls for the upper body.
4. As I said above, walk, run, swim, and or bike
5. Take an aerobics class, a yoga class, or some other fitness class.
6. Join the local YMCA.
7. Buy or borrow this book by Bill Pearl called GETTING STRONGER.
In the book, he describes everything you need for a great fitness plan.
8. Compare your fitness scores to other people by clicking on the President’s Challenge Brochure link here: http://www.presidentschallenge.org/misc/downloads.aspx




Mental Health:

1. Get a friend to talk to each day about your feelings.
2. If you have some money or insurance, get a counselor to talk to.
3. Learn how to meditate.
4. Join a support group for the issue you’re dealing with.
5. Ask your Higher Self (or God) for guidance.
6. Start keeping a diary or journal about your feelings & thoughts.
7. Write a ‘gratitude’ list every night.
8. Do something that makes you happy each day like: listen to your favorite music, draw, paint, write, or anything creative.
9. Do something for someone else who needs help.
10. If the above suggestions don't improve your mental health, talk with your therapist about the possibility of taking some medication.

Take care of yourself

Yam King

Answer 8

Is dependent on the context really. Which is better as a snack - fresh fruit for me personally. It's tastier and gives you that little bit of sweetness. Which can be better as a snack if you are trying hard to minimize back on sugar and lose weight vegetables

Answer 9

You maybe working to hard/and feel not fulfilled? sometimes you got to think there ONE student your breaking through too.
You seem to heavy platefull so i'd give your students the try of teaching/suport them ask them what they want to get out of class...
after thankgiving break give this assignment a 500 woord essay on what they hope to be doing say in 10 years whats there gaols,dreams,needs and what they are learning now to schieve those goals. in drama related make hard on them Shakepear have them read it then write it then say it on stage! one at a time...as far as production hey get to do it again infront of everyone "How the would like!" but to do-it they must or else they'd flunk that course and have make up during summer.
You seem to be getting winter doldrums to me!!! hang in there there has to a Light at end of Tunnel! some student will step forward and knock your socks off!!!