When my partner, Alex, made the leap to become a high school English teacher, he knew he was stepping into a demanding role. With a teacher for a father and an educator mother-in-law, he was well aware of the challenges ahead. He envisioned channeling his passion for learning into fostering his students’ ability to express themselves. Perhaps he’d even inspire a few to recite a Shakespearean line or craft their own sonnets.
As relatively new parents, we hoped Alex’s teaching career would strike a balance between work and home life. He remembered his dad coming home early, around 3 or 4 p.m., and spending quality time with his family. We weren’t aiming for a windfall, but we believed he would earn a decent salary, enjoy solid benefits, and avoid excessive hours or overwhelming stress.
After a challenging job hunt, Alex landed a position at a school with a fantastic team of teachers and supportive administrators who genuinely care for one another. While the teenagers he teaches may not always share his enthusiasm for literature, they appreciate his efforts. However, the reality of being a teacher has proven to be far more demanding than he anticipated.
While students are only in school for six hours a day, Alex often works 10 to 12 hours. His day starts at 5 a.m. to ensure he has time to grade papers and prepare lessons. With a full teaching schedule, his limited prep time is consumed by grading and planning, leaving little room for a proper lunch break. After school, he attends mandatory meetings, professional development, and makes countless phone calls to parents. Often, he stays late just to catch up on grading.
By the time Alex arrives home, usually around 5 or 6 p.m., he’s exhausted. He loves our two kids dearly, but he struggles with the evening chaos, just trying to make it to bedtime without losing his sanity.
It turns out, Alex isn’t alone in this struggle. Teachers across America work significantly longer hours than their international counterparts, leaving them little time to manage lesson plans, grading, and the endless paperwork that accumulates daily—often requiring them to finish these tasks at home without any overtime pay.
This relentless grind leads to a heap of stress, job dissatisfaction, and burnout. A 2014 Gallup Poll revealed that half of all teachers reported high stress levels, surpassing even doctors in terms of workplace anxiety. Additionally, around 70% of teachers feel disengaged from their jobs. It’s alarming to think that so many educators, responsible for shaping our future generations, are feeling this way.
Most teachers, including Alex, don’t blame their students for their frustrations. They manage to keep their discontent with the profession from affecting their interactions with kids. Instead, the systemic issues are to blame. A Washington Post survey of 30,000 teachers found that most stress comes from the constant influx of new initiatives, like the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, without adequate training. It’s tough to keep up with changing curricula while also trying to “teach to the test,” adding to the already burdensome workload.
Many teachers reported that their stress and declining enthusiasm for the profession began to escalate in the past few years—the same time Alex started teaching. He’s put in too much effort to throw in the towel, and while he remains dedicated to his school and students, he’s already feeling the weight of burnout just a few years in.
What Can We Do?
We need to elect officials who genuinely care about educators—those who will advocate for better contracts, salary increases, and the repeal of some of the burdensome initiatives that have plagued teachers and their students in recent years. Also, it’s important to express gratitude to your children’s teachers, not just during holidays or at the end of the year. A simple acknowledgment of their hard work can go a long way in boosting their morale and enhancing the school experience for everyone involved.
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In summary, teachers are under immense stress and deserve better. We must advocate for their well-being and recognize the critical role they play in our children’s education.