Teacher Burnout Is Not Just About Self-Care

Teacher burnout is not just about long hours or big class sizes.
It often starts quietly with unsupported classrooms, impossible expectations, and a lack of trust. Educators are exhausted. Not just the usual “I had a long day” kind of tired, but mentally, emotionally, and physically drained in a way that affects everything, from their relationships to their sleep to their ability to keep showing up. And more often than we would like to admit, it is not the job, but the leadership that is breaking teachers down.



When toxic school leaders create fear instead of safety, ignore feedback, or stir conflict through emotional outbursts, staff burnout becomes inevitable. They do not just damage morale, they turn passionate teachers into disengaged, disheartened professionals who grow disinterested in the work they once loved. If we truly want to keep dedicated educators in the classroom, we need to speak honestly about the role leadership plays; whether it lifts teachers up or quietly wears them down.

The Bullying Is Coming From Inside the Building

After I shared a recent post titled “When the Bully Is the Principal,” the response was overwhelming. Teachers on many facebook groups and teachers in person shared stories like:

• “That post was the first time I felt seen.”

• “That’s exactly what happened to me.”

• “I thought I was overreacting.”

• “I felt as though the writer was speaking about my school environment.”

• “I can so relate to this author.”

Some even revealed that in their situation, after speaking up about mistreatment, more intimidation tactics were deployed,  isolation and retaliations increased, as if simply pointing out unprofessional behavior was the real problem. 

To the Principals, Vice Principals, Senior Teachers, and Administrator Teams:

If your leadership style is leaving teachers in tears, second-guessing themselves, or dreading work every morning, YOU need to change.

Leadership is not about control. It is about support, empathy, and shared growth.

Intimidation tactics, especially after teachers raise valid concerns, must stop.

Your emotional tone is poisoning your entire staff. And if teachers feel unsafe around you or have no confidence in your leadership, no system, no policy, no training will fix that.

And if no one has told you lately:
You do not lose credibility by apologizing.
You do not lose control by listening.
You do not lose respect by leading with kindness.

Let Teachers Breathe Again

Teachers are not asking for perfection. We are asking to be treated like professionals and human beings.

If a school cannot offer that, if a principal sees accountability as “disrespect” and uses power to protect their ego, it is time for the higher authority to intervene. This is a call for change. Why change your leadership style? Because protecting the wellbeing of teachers protects the heart of education itself.