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Using School Identity to Address Educator Exhaustion
November 9, 2022 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am PST
Presented by: Michelle Liebhardt
The beginning of the school year is an exciting time, but many educators are returning to their buildings already exhausted. A shared school identity–agreement on what a school stands for–is one tool for building a strong community, combating fatigue, and creating space for meaningful school change. This Crowdsource Coffee will feature discussion about how identity can be leveraged at this time in the school year, especially in the midst of staff shortages and low morale.
In this workshop we will explore:
- The challenges of teacher exhaustion and demoralization.
- Strategies school leaders can use to alleviate stress and foster community.
- How school identity and shared values can strengthen support for educators.
By participating, you will be ready to:
- Recognize key drivers of educator burnout and demoralization.
- Apply practical strategies to support and re-engage your staff.
- Leverage your school’s identity to build resilience and a stronger sense of community.
Resources
The root cause of educator exhaustion and frustration is a lack of support and respect, not a perceived inability to manage stress. To prevent a mass exodus from the profession, district and elected leaders across the nation need to address this crisis now.
A new survey of National Education Association members reveals a startling level of stress and
burnout among educators and a large increase in the percentage who say the pandemic has
made them more likely to retire or leave the profession earlier than planned.
With large numbers of teachers resigning from schools, Diane Tavenner and Michael Horn dive into what exactly is happening right now in schools, explore how it’s different from past teacher shortages, and ask bigger questions about who is a teacher and the system of preparing and developing our teachers — and suggest a hopeful path that might emerge from the current moment of struggles and shortages for schools.
Teacher shortages in California vary widely: wealthier districts are often fully staffed, while high-needs communities struggle with vacancies. Some districts, like Santa Ana, still face dozens of openings, especially in special education, while others, like Los Angeles and San Francisco, have filled most positions using incentives such as bonuses and grants.
Most teacher shortages stem from attrition, making retention vital. Strong principal leadership is key to keeping teachers, and policymakers can support this through investments like ESSA funding.
Educators’ health and well-being should be prioritized in school culture; school leaders can help create the conditions for that.
The impact of COVID-19 feels relentless. Whether your school returned to campus this fall, is conducting learning online, or is using a combination of the two, stress is imminent.
Teachers can especially suffer from this stress as they balance new methodologies for instruction with their own family concerns. You must be able to recognize when a teacher may be reaching a level of burnout.
About the Presenters
Michelle is a lifelong learner with experience in research, technology, and consulting, with a focus on improving student experiences. Believing in the power of curiosity-driven learning, she champions educators who empower students through engaging experiences. Currently, her work centers on helping schools move beyond traditional systems to create a more meaningful learning environment.
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