Why So Many Teachers Are Quitting—And It’s Not What You Think

If schools were hospitals, teachers would be the emergency responders—expected to stay calm under pressure, meet everyone’s needs at once, and somehow keep going without a break.

But even the most dedicated professionals can’t outrun burnout forever.

Teachers are experiencing stress levels comparable to those of physicians and nurses in high-stakes environments. A study found that teachers were 40% more likely to report anxiety symptoms.

Despite this, the typical response has been to offer individual coping strategies, rather than addressing the systemic conditions contributing to burnout.

Burnout is not due to a lack of resilience; it's a result of systemic issues. Schools have the capacity to alleviate this by implementing institution-wide changes that prioritize teacher well-being.

Schools Must Help Reduce Stress and Burnout

Teachers and school counselors aren’t just supporting academics anymore—they’re also helping students cope with stress, trauma, and mental health struggles that have only grown in recent years.

Teachers are stretched thin. They’re dealing with oversized classes, long hours, and the pressure to play multiple roles—educator, caretaker, disciplinarian, and sometimes even therapist. Many are still bringing work home every night, just to keep up.

And yet, the common advice is to meditate, use a mindfulness app, or “find balance.”

The problem? That advice pushes responsibility onto educators instead of addressing the real issue: the system itself.

Burnout isn’t about a lack of effort or personal resilience. It’s about working in conditions that make sustained well-being nearly impossible. One 2022 study found that job satisfaction and school culture are key predictors of burnout—and those are things leaders can influence.

Sure, some challenges—like class size—may be out of a principal’s hands. But others aren’t.

School leaders can support staff by rethinking policies that pile on unnecessary pressure, protecting time for collaboration and planning, and creating schedules that don’t demand personal sacrifice.

Reducing burnout doesn’t mean asking teachers to do more. It means changing the system so the job itself doesn’t burn them out.

What’s Fueling Teacher Burnout

Teacher burnout isn’t about lack of passion—it’s about chronic overload. Here are the core drivers:

Unrealistic Expectations

Educators are expected to teach, manage behavior, provide emotional support, handle administrative tasks, and meet performance targets—often all at once.

Oversized Classes

Larger class sizes mean more grading, more classroom management challenges, and less time to connect with individual students.

Limited Planning Time

Many teachers have little to no time during the day to prep, collaborate, or even take a break—forcing work into early mornings, late nights, and weekends.

Emotional Labor

Teachers are constantly managing not only their own stress, but also the emotions and trauma students bring into the classroom.

Lack of Support

Inadequate staffing, minimal mental health resources, and poor communication from leadership leave teachers feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

Pressure Without Autonomy

High accountability with low decision-making power creates a toxic combination of stress and helplessness.

Burnout isn’t caused by teachers doing too little—it’s the result of being asked to do too much for too long without enough support.

The Ripple Effect of Burnout on Teachers’ Mental Health and Well-Being

Burnout doesn’t just mean feeling tired. It chips away at a teacher’s mental health, job performance, and overall quality of life.

Mentally and emotionally, burnout often shows up as chronic stress, anxiety, irritability, or even depression. Teachers may start feeling emotionally drained, detached from their work, or question whether they’re making a difference at all. Over time, this can lead to a sense of hopelessness or loss of purpose—both serious signs that mental health is being compromised.

In the classroom, burnout affects everything from lesson quality to student relationships. Teachers may struggle to stay patient, focused, or creative. They might find themselves less able to manage behavior, adapt lessons, or respond with empathy—all of which impact student learning and classroom dynamics.

Outside of school, the effects can linger long after the final bell rings. Burnout can disrupt sleep, increase physical health issues, and damage relationships with family and friends. Many teachers report bringing work-related stress home, making it hard to rest, recharge, or be fully present in their personal lives.

When burnout goes unaddressed, it doesn’t just affect the individual—it weakens the entire school ecosystem. Supporting teacher well-being isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity for both human health and professional sustainability.

Simple Ways Teachers Can Protect Their Well-Being

Burnout isn’t something you can fix with a few deep breaths or a motivational quote. But there are a few small, real-life strategies that can help make the day-to-day a little more manageable:

1. Draw a Line Between Work and Home

Pick a time to stop working each day—and honor it. That means no checking emails at dinner or finishing up lesson plans at midnight. Your time off is just as important as your time on.

2. Don’t Overcomplicate Everything

Not every lesson needs to be a masterpiece. If something simple gets the job done, go with it. Use tools, templates, and routines that make your life easier.

3. Take Short Breaks When You Can

Even five minutes to breathe, stretch, or step outside can make a difference. You don’t need a full hour—just a moment to reset during a busy day.

4. Lean on Your People

Talk to the colleague down the hall. Vent. Ask for help. Share resources. You’re not supposed to do this alone—and you’re definitely not the only one feeling stretched thin.

5. Use the Support That’s Available

If your school offers mental health resources, take advantage of them. Whether it’s a quick check-in with a counselor or support from a trusted admin, it’s okay to ask for help.

6. Focus on What You Can Control

You can’t change every policy or fix every problem—but you can choose how you show up in your own space. Focus on the parts of your work that you can shape.

7. Notice What’s Going Well

Keep a sticky note of small wins: a student who smiled today, a lesson that clicked, a kind word from a parent. These reminders can help carry you through the harder moments.