Exhaustion

[ECT22]

How do you cope with teacher tiredness? I retrained a few years ago after a long career in another industry - which was exhausting, but nothing like teaching. I teach in secondary and I adore the job and the kids, no regrets at all. But by 3 weeks into September I already feel flattened by tiredness. I work in a great state school that is rated Outstanding and is very academic. Behaviour is good, but pressure to achieve results is high, we do lots of data monitoring, intervention, revision sessions, CPD etc. The mental load is huge. I’ve wondered if working at a slightly shitter school might be easier! Anyway, looking for any tips for coping with the exhaustion… 🙏

Teacher tired is a whole other level of tiredness!

I had jobs in hospitality before teaching (when I was a student). Long, unsociable hours and absolutely hectic, but never felt exhausted like I did when I started teaching.

To be honest, I don't think working in a different school would necessarily help. My current school is very good, behaviour excellent etc but I am truly exhausted this week because it's mentally and physically draining.

I previously worked in a less good school but felt exhausted for different reasons.

Try to carve time out to look after yourself!

Yeah you’re right - it would be awful to be exhausted from poor behaviour etc.

I haven’t mastered taking time for myself - feel too tired to do much between work and having my own teenagers at home. But really do need to!

Teaching is an assault on all your senses. The exhaustion follows from this as much as the long hours. Time to be on your own in peace and quiet is really important, honestly, I often have a short nap when I get in from school otherwise I can just be a bit of a zombie for the whole evening.

I also take a bunch of vitamins.

Which vitamins do you take, if you don’t mind me asking? I take iron, and magnesium (which seems to help my mind switch off at night)

Feroglobin capsules which are iron, folic acid and vit B12, and then just an adult multivitamin. I don't seem to get ill very often so I think they do something!

Get out while you can. Teaching has a significant impact on your mental health, and the cons now, unfortunately, outweigh the pros. Schools are becoming social services, the Police, charity, as well as educators. It is unsustainable and is increasing the burden on staff. Never experienced tiredness like it, accumulative stress is a killer. Student behaviour and staff competence are at an all time low. I can't believe the difference in the calibre of new staff in the last 5 years. An outdated system that is going to explode.