Have you given your word to teach next year and suddenly you’re dreading it with all your heart? Is your difficult student sick three days out of five and falling behind more rapidly than ever? Did all the report card averages drop and you’re feeling like a failure?

Most teachers I’ve talked to deal with burnout somewhere in the school year. Usually it’s sometime between Christmas and spring. So if you’re ready to give everything up right now, you aren’t the only one! Here’s some thoughts to help you through each day.

You are someone’s favourite teacher. They come to school every day hoping to see you smile. Actually, they’re counting on it. They don’t think twice that life might be tough for you. You’re amazing! You’re always happy. You always call them by name when they walk in. You’re the star in their stories when they go home. You’re practically perfect in their eyes!

Tired of always being the hero? Robert Jordan says, “Duty is as heavy as a mountain.” Sometimes it just is a lot to carry all your responsibilities. It’s okay to be tired out. Take the time to do something that refuels you that isn’t school related. Go out for coffee with a friend even if the checking isn’t finished. Say yes to a shopping trip on Saturday. Curl up in bed with a good book until it’s much later that you usually stay up. Go for a long drive. Get out and go for a hike alone. Get your hands dirty and do some hard work. Whatever it is that makes you feel like a human again, put school in a closed box and just do it.

And… back to school Monday morning. That sullen student mutters a reply to your “Good Morning!” Don’t let it discourage you. You don’t know what happened over the weekend. You don’t know what’s going on at home. You don’t know what battles they’re fighting. You might be the one bright spot in their day. They might feel just a bit better because you were there and you were happy – just like they expected. Something in their life is reliable. 

God picked you for those students. He picked those students for you. There’s a reason you’re in their lives and they are in yours. He’s using you to make a difference. So every day that you hide your battles and are present for them, you are winning.

And it’s not going to be too long until the spring brings sunshine, new life, an end to colds, and new hope for everyone. So don’t give up, Teacher. It’s going to get better.  And you will make it through.