First Aid for Teacher Burnout

Jenny Grant Rankin, Ph.D., teaches the PostDoc Masterclass at University of Cambridge and is a former junior high school teacher, recipient of "Teacher of the Year" award, technology coordinator, school administrator, and district administrator. She is also author of Designing Data Reports that Work: A Guide for Creating Data Systems in Schools and Districts and How to Make Data Work: A Guide for Educational Leaders.

Meet the Author

Preface

eResources

Acknowledgements

Part I: Introduction

1. Help Is on the Way

You Are Not Alone

Help for Every Culprit

Part II: Setting the Stage

2. Mindset: "My Attitude Is (Only Partly) Everything"

Avoid Toxic Traps

Amend Toxic Thinking

Adopt Healthy Habits

Reflection Exercises

3. Environment: "My Classroom Looks like a Room without Class"

Make the Project Doable

Prime Your Environment

Rearrange to Support Learning

Employ Systems

Reflection Exercises

4. Overstimulation: "My Brain Needs a Union Rep"

Set Boundaries for Others

Set Boundaries for Yourself

Employ Systems

Reflection Exercises

Part III: Goodbye, Fluff

5. Grading: "My Hobbies Are Grading, Grading, and More Grading"

Challenge Your View of Grading

Change Your Approach to Grading

Delegate for Particular Grading Needs

Let Technology Help You

Reflection Exercises

6. Volume: "I Can Do Everything I Want, in Just 48 Hours per Day"

Prime Your Outlook

Prioritize and Purge in Multiple Areas

Leverage Resources

Get Helpers for Your Classroom

Make the Most of Helpers’ Time

Reflection Exercises

7. Overcommitting: "I’m My Schools’ ‘Go to’ Volunteer"

Set Yourself up for Success

Troubleshoot Trends

Reflection Exercises

8. Collaboration: "No Offense, but I Prefer to Work Alone"

Prime Your Outlook

Find Appropriate Collaborators

Improve Collaboration’s Odds for Success

Leverage Tools

Reflection Exercises

9. Tedium: "My Work Is Monotonous. My Work Is Monotonous."

Fight Routine

Invite Challenge

Reflection Exercises

Part IV: Tools and Processes Can Be Your Friends

10. Curriculum: "I Create More from Scratch than Martha Stewart"

Use Colleagues’ Lessons

Work with Administration

Let Technology Help You

Reflection Exercises

11. Technology: "Using the TV Remote Is as Techie as I Get"

Get the Technology You Need

Get the Help You Need

Improve Technology’s Odds for Success

Use the Right Tools

Reflection Exercises

Part V: Getting Everyone on Your Side

12. Behavior: "I’m Bullied or Disregarded …by My Students"

Explore Lots of Options

Be Proactive

Manage Behavior Effectively

Turn around Tough Situations

Reflection Exercises

13. Administration: "My Higher-ups Push Me Lower-down"

Prepare Your Mindset

Help Administrators Understand

Use the Power You Have

Communicate Effectively

Consider Outside Help

Reflection Exercises

14. Community Relations: "When I Ask for Support, All I Get Back Is My Echo."

Maximize Back to School Night and Open House

Maximize Parent-Teacher Conferences

Get Adults Involved in Your Classroom

Avoid Parent Pitfalls

Actively Promote Good Publicity

Reflection Exercises

Part VI: Conclusion

15. Get Started and Keep Going

Resources

Glossary

References