Flourishing at School Teachers are not to blame for their own burnout with Dr Helen Kelly- Part 1
Apr 12, 2023
In this discussion, Dr. Helen Kelly, a researcher and speaker known as the Positive Principal, dives into the pressing issue of teacher burnout and its impact on educational well-being. She shares startling statistics on burnout rates among teachers and principals and discusses systemic factors contributing to their increasing workloads. Helen emphasizes the crucial link between teacher welfare and student success, advocating for comprehensive strategies over individual resilience. Her insights and suggestions offer a pathway for schools to foster healthier environments.
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Tamara's Career Shift and Burnout
- Tamara Lechner transitioned from a solicitor working in health and safety law to a school principal over two decades in international schools.
- She became deeply interested in school leader well-being, especially after experiencing burnout herself in 2019.
Burnout Is a System Issue
- Burnout in teachers is primarily a systemic issue related to workload and organization, not individual failure.
- Focusing only on self-care lets employers evade responsibility for creating healthy work environments.
Teacher Burnout Scale and Impact
- About half of teachers experience burnout at some point, with 15% experiencing high levels.
- Burnout leads to high turnover early in careers and negatively impacts student outcomes.