When my partner decided to pursue a career as a high school English teacher, he knew what he was signing up for. Coming from a family of educators, he was well aware of the challenges that lay ahead. He envisioned a rewarding role where he could channel his passion for learning and inspire kids to express themselves—maybe even get them to appreciate a line or two from Shakespeare or whip up their own sonnets.
At the time, we were relatively new parents, and we thought teaching would offer a decent work-life balance for someone so dedicated. He fondly recalled his father coming home by 3 or 4 p.m., enjoying quality time with the family. Sure, we didn’t expect to be rolling in dough, but we thought he’d have a stable paycheck, built-in raises, and good benefits without the overwhelming stress.
After a challenging job hunt, he landed a position at a school filled with supportive colleagues who genuinely care for each other. His students might not always share his zest for literature, but they’re good kids who appreciate his efforts.
However, the reality of teaching turned out to be far different from his expectations. While students are in school for six hours, my partner often puts in 10 to 12 hours daily. His day starts at 5 a.m. to grade papers and prepare lessons, and the limited prep time he does have gets consumed by more grading. Lunchtime? Forget about it—there’s no time for that.
He also stays after school for meetings, professional development, and phone calls home, plus all the extra club activities. More often than not, he finds himself burning the midnight oil just to keep up with grading and lesson planning.
By the time he finally gets home around 5 or 6, he’s completely drained. He loves our two kids, but he struggles to muster the energy for their evening antics. It’s all he can do to keep his sanity until bedtime.
This predicament isn’t unique to him. Teachers across America are putting in far more hours with their students than their international counterparts, leaving little time during the school day for grading, lesson planning, and tackling the daunting paperwork that piles up—forcing them to take work home (and no, overtime isn’t a thing in most districts).
What does all this lead to? Stress—lots of it. A Gallup Poll from 2014 revealed that half of all teachers reported high stress levels, surpassing even doctors in terms of stress. A staggering 70% of teachers don’t feel engaged in their work. That’s a significant number of educators, responsible for shaping our future, feeling overwhelmed and dissatisfied.
Most teachers, including my husband, aren’t frustrated with their students. They work hard to not let their job-related stress spill over into the classroom. The issue lies within the system itself.
A Washington Post survey of 30,000 teachers found that much of their stress comes from continuously implementing new initiatives—like the Common Core State Standards—without adequate training. It’s one thing to keep up with lessons and grading; it’s another to constantly revamp the curriculum and “teach to the test.” The majority of teachers reported that the uptick in stress and decline in job satisfaction began in the past couple of years, coinciding with the rollout of these initiatives.
Sadly, this was also when my partner began his teaching career. He’s too invested to quit now, and despite the tough realities of the profession, he genuinely cares about his students and school. But, boy, is he feeling the burnout creeping in just a few years in. And he’s far from alone—many teachers share this sentiment.
So, what can we do? We need to elect officials who truly care about educators—those who will revisit contracts, provide raises, and dismantle some of the burdensome policies that have plagued teachers and students alike in recent years. Plus, let’s take a moment to appreciate our kids’ teachers—not just at the end of the year or during the holidays. A simple acknowledgment of their hard work and dedication can go a long way in boosting morale and creating a more positive school experience for everyone involved.
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In summary, teachers are facing unprecedented levels of stress and burnout, primarily due to systemic issues rather than student behavior. Addressing their needs through better policies and support is crucial for the well-being of educators and the quality of education for our kids.