What Teachers Really Need This Year: Support, Stability, and Space to Breathe
Dear Educator,
If you're reading this with a mixture of excitement, exhaustion, and low-key dread, you're not alone.
You’re gearing up for a school year that’s already full of change—new policies, shifting expectations, heavier emotional loads, and maybe even less support than last year.
And yet, you're still here. Still showing up.
But here's the truth: you can’t keep doing this work without being supported. Not just appreciated. Supported.
Let’s talk about what that really means—and how you can advocate for the things that help you feel steady, valued, and well.
You Need Clarity (Not Confusion)
Constant change is exhausting—especially when communication is murky.
This year, give yourself permission to ask:
Can you clarify what’s expected of me this week?
What’s the timeline on this policy shift?
Who should I come to if this impacts my classroom?
Clear expectations reduce stress. You don’t have to navigate ambiguity alone. Ask for clarification early—it's not weakness, it’s wisdom.
You Need Space to Say, “I’m Not Okay Today”
Emotional labor is part of your job, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of your health.
This year, notice the signs when you need a pause:
Feeling irritable or unusually fatigued
Taking student behavior personally
Dreading Monday… by Friday
Start identifying safe people you can say this to: a department head, a school counselor, a fellow teacher. Practice saying:
“I’m showing up today, but I’m not at full capacity. I wanted to name that."
That simple statement can open doors to real support.
You Need to Be Supported—Not Just Stretched
You’re not imagining it: the workload is heavier.
If you’re being asked to:
Cover multiple classes
Manage behavior with zero backup
Respond to emails after hours
Lead programs with no compensation
…it’s okay to speak up.
Try this:
“I want to give my best to my students—and I need support to do that well. Can we talk about ways to share the load?”
And if you get a no, that’s not a reflection of your worth. It’s data about what support you may need to seek elsewhere.
You Need Professional Development That Fuels You
If the PD calendar feels like another to-do list, advocate for what’s meaningful.
What if you asked:
Can we bring in someone who understands trauma-informed classrooms?
Can I attend a PD about educator mental health this year?
Would the school support a teacher-led series where we share what’s working?
PD doesn’t have to be draining. You deserve learning that fills you back up.
You Need Your People
This year, identify who makes you feel seen. The colleague who checks on you after a hard class. The para who always has snacks. The admin who says, “Go home. That can wait.”
Community doesn’t have to be big. But it does need to be real.
If you don’t have that yet, consider this:
Start a “Wellness Wednesday” lunch meet-up
Offer a check-in jar in the break room
Find a local educator Facebook group or virtual support circle
You’re not meant to carry this alone.
You Need Permission to Choose “Good Enough” Sometimes
You are a whole human—not a machine.
The lesson doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect. You can leave papers ungraded for one more day. You can close your laptop at 5pm without guilt.
This year, try whispering this to yourself:
“My peace is just as important as my productivity.”
Let that be your quiet revolution.
A Gentle Check-In Before You Go:
Ask yourself:
What is one thing I need more of this year?
What’s one thing I’m ready to do differently?
Who can I reach out to this week—for support, encouragement, or a simple check-in?
Write those names down. Keep them close.
You are worthy of support. Not because you’re falling apart. But because you are human. And the work you do is big.
Your Next Step: A Gentle Reset
You don’t have to keep surviving the school year on empty. If you're ready to show up with more clarity, more boundaries, and more compassion for yourself—let’s start there.
Download your free copy of the Educator’s Burnout Reset Plan It’s a gentle, research-informed tool to help you reflect, reset, and protect your energy—week by week.
And if you’re craving more than a worksheet—if you're ready for guidance, community, or a thought partner in navigating this season—I’d love to walk with you.
Together, we’ll explore how to be in it but not of it—so you can teach from a place that feels more sustainable and whole.
More Resources for You
In the meantime, these research-based articles provide practical strategies to sustain your energy, protect your boundaries, and stay emotionally resilient—especially when schedules shift:
How New Teachers Can Set Healthy Emotional Boundaries Edutopia explores tested techniques for maintaining compassion while avoiding emotional overload—rooted in educator experiences and social-emotional learning best practices. 🔗 Read it here
What’s Causing Teacher Burnout? – NEA (National Education Association) This April 2025 report identifies core pressure points—like excessive workload, student behavior, and lack of planning time—and highlights how improved working conditions are key to teacher well-being. 🔗 Read it here
Let’s connect—Book a support session
Your peace matters here. Let’s honor that, together.
Jennifer Walker, LCSW