Strategies for new teachers to overcome disillusionment, starring Tina Boogren, Ph.D.

Tina Boogren, Ph.D., joins Ana Torres, not only to discuss how it’s completely normal for first-year teachers (and even some veterans) to experience disillusionment, but also to offer tactics for overcoming those feelings. Tina and Ana kick off this episode by explaining Ellen Moir's “The Phases of First-Year Teaching," which outlines the emotional stages new teachers move through. They discuss how teachers have to name their feelings to tame their feelings, the difference between stress and burnout, and the importance of giving ourselves grace and avoiding comparison with others. Tina also details her three research-backed strategies for self-care: gratitude, altruism, and laughter. Finally, Classroom Insider Eric Cross joins Ana to share takeaways from the interview, including how and why to ask for help, even if it’s just so you can take a small break.

Show notes: 

• Connect with Tina Boogren:
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tina-boogren
  • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thboogren.bsky.social
  • X: https://x.com/thboogren
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfcareforeducators/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thboogren
  • Website: https://www.solutiontree.com/tina-h-boogren.html
  • Podcast: https://www.selfcareforeducators.com/
• Resources:
  • Read The New Teacher Center’s “Phases of First-Year Teaching.” 
  • Read The Maslach Burnout Inventory.
• Subscribe to Beyond My Years 
• Follow us on Instagram @amplify.education 
• Connect with Eric Cross: https://www.ericcross.org/ 
• Connect with Ana Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anayansi-ana-torres-m-ed-26a10654/

Quotes:

“It's teeny tiny little things. When you combine those together, you are tapping into that brain research that's giving our brain a different assignment and looking for the positive. And we will find it.” —Tina Boogren, Ph.D. 

“I always say it's an ‘and’; it's not an ‘or.’ It's not instruction or self-care.” —Tina Boogren, Ph.D. 

 ”It's those small wins that we look over. If we're not looking for them, we can miss them, and we just keep thinking, ‘I'm not as good as that person.’” —Tina Boogren, Ph.D. 

“It's vulnerable but it's necessary to be able to honor yourself and say, ‘I need help. I need support.’” —Ana Torres

“Sometimes your day is just teaching someone a life skill…and hopefully that's going to get them to learning.” —Eric Cross 

“ Whatever I'm feeling is not just impacting me, even though I want to think it is, or that I’m masking it. I know that if I'm not at my A game, it's impacting my students.” —Eric Cross