It’s been over five years since I graduated from my Masters program at LMU. Five years doesn’t seem like a long time. Yet, aside from the notes I scribbled in my binder and the assignments I saved, I find it difficult to remember all the information that was shared with us over the two-year program. It comes to me in bits and pieces. And, even then, I can’t remember whether it was something I learned in my program or something I read on Twitter. Whether it was something I learned from being in the classroom for the past six years or something I picked up at a conference.
One thing I do remember – very vividly – about my program is a statistic that our professor shared with us during our very first semester.
The Attrition Rate
That sounds terrifying. But, being optimistic students in our early 20s, we were ready to tear that statistic down. We knew what we were getting into. We knew that our work days would be long, our lunches would be short, and yet we were STILL ready to take on the challenge.
First year came and went and, while I spent 90% of my free time planning and preparing materials for my students, I was thrilled to be a teacher. I thought this was all part of the hazing process. The sleepless nights, the Pinterest anchor charts, the lesson planning from scratch.
And then, each year afterward, I found that it didn’t get easier. It never got any easier like everyone had promised. There were a whole new batch of challenges, a whole new set of behaviors to deal with, and new co-workers to try to collaborate with. I was working with a child who had so many emotions and had difficulty processing them and that took a toll on my physical and mental health.
Being a Statistic
When we moved to Tennessee, I didn’t look for teaching opportunities right away. I felt burnt out. My body hurt. My mind felt broken. So, when we settled in, I thought I would take some time out of the classroom to evaluate whether I, too, would be a part of that statistic. Was this IT for me? Did I lose my youthful optimism and desire to change the world and help our students?
But being out of the classroom for several months now has proven to be the exact eye-opening experience I needed. I needed time away to realize that I need to jump back in. It’s like stepping out of the pool during an evening swim. You can do it for a while. You can walk around, sit on the edge of the pool while your friends are enjoying their time in the water. But, after enough time passes, you just start to feel cold and miserable. It’s like you need the warmth of the water to make you feel normal again.
There isn’t a simple solution to the whole work/life balance and teacher retention rate.
Numerous factors are linked to the high burn-out rate.
The juggling of responsibilities.
Or maybe just the fact that the system forces you to think of your students as paperwork and not human beings.
I know the statistic. And I know – from personal experience – why the average SpED teacher doesn’t stick around past five years. I absolutely get it. But, still, my 24-year old-self keeps seeping into my mind. She keeps whispering in my ear and reminds me to keep on trekking. To make sure I don’t fall prey to the statistic.
We don't get burned out because of WHAT we do. We get burned out because we forget why we do it. Share on XCurrently, my days are relaxing and far from stressful. We have deadlines at work but they’re all pretty easy to meet and I never bring my work home with me. When I am working on one task, I have the ability to focus on that one task without getting interrupted by a group of children or a bell schedule. Still, despite the comfort of my current job, I can’t imagine doing this forever. I miss the feeling of waking up and feeling a sense of urgency. I miss waking up knowing there are bright-eyed, beautiful children waiting for me to open the door. Teaching is stressful and messy and exhausting. But, when you remember your “why,” it seems like the most wonderful job in the world.
Questions of the Day:
- How do you remind yourself of the WHY?
I love this! I’ve always admired SpED teachers – they just seem to have MORE stress than your average teacher, and they are already stressed. It’s definitely important to remember the WHY for any job you do or it will soon feel like a chore.
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Interesting to learn about your work and it’s struggles. We all have a calling and if it is meant to be then we shall break the statistics.
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I can totally imagine being burnt out as an teacher. We are losing all of our long time great teachers here, they are just at the retirement age and some of those coming up into the ranks are just not able to handle it so extensively so my youngest gets to be the guinea pig each year, it seems, for new teachers. I wish it was easier to not get burnt out as teachers, but that job is full of so much to juggle and I am sure emotional toll too!
I have nothing but respect for ALL teachers, but especially Sp. Ed teachers. You are a pillar of strength and a lifeline to so many parents. But I can only imagine it is exhausting even if it is rewarding. I’m glad your time away has given you some focus and I hope you’re able to be back to teaching when the time is right for you!
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No one understands exactly how physically and mentally draining teaching is until they’ve done it. SpEd is even more so from what I see. We have had a different special ed program director every year I’ve been at my school because the paperwork is so overwhelming. Thank you for your honesty!
Teachers are such an important part of life. I can’t thank you enough for being a teacher. It is a selfless act. Burning out is a sign to priortise time just for you away from teaching. I hope you continue to recharge before you get going again.
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Knowing our ‘why’ really does go a long way to reminding us that it is important to keep moving forward. Another key is to practice self-care and make sure we are doing everything we can NOT to get burned out. It is very different when you are young and really driven by your why, but I have learned that the earlier we learn to take care of ourselves first, it ultimately benefits everyone. It sounds like your time away was very eye-opening for you Divya and I always hear your passion and love for what you trained to do. With your passion, your why and your self-care routine, I have a lot of faith that you will find that work/life balance that is so key to not burning out.
While I don’t teach Special Ed and to be honest I am not even a teacher…. However I do coach gymnastics and I have to watch myself about getting burned out. But how I remind myself that the work I am doing in worth it as well as to keep going is to keep a journal of the nice things the parents and the kids say so that if I am having a hard time I can go back to look at that and remind myself.
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Why do teachers in general get burned out? Because teachers are underappreciated. Special education teachers even more so. We really need to start valuing our teachers and our children’s education way more!
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I feel even teaching in general has such a high rate of burnout (nothing to do with the large class sizes and unrealistic expectations)…. I love that you know you want to go back. Your passion is what we need in the education system.
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I love that final quote sooo much!!!! Powerful to know and realize our purpose and continue moving forward in it! xo~D
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My sister-in-law is a special education teacher. As much as she loves it, she has said many of the things you have. Knowing your why is so important and is why she keeps doing what she’s doing as well.
I’m not a SPED teacher (although I teach inclusion) but I completely understand what you’re feeling. I think ALL teachers hit this wall after a while and we need something to rejuvenate that spirit in us again. Otherwise, we become the statistic. Wonderfully written.
I think in any career or life situation its easy to get burned out. Reminding ourselves of why is necessary!
I can’t even imagine how hard being a teacher is. I have such appreciation for teachers. Take breaks and spoil yourself often. You deserve it!
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My older brother is special needs and I saw first hand just how hard special ed teachers worked and how they were treated. We owe these angels in disguise SO much!!
I can definitely see how the school system itself could accelerate that burn out. I think reminding yourself of “the why” is a good way to stay motivated when things are getting to you.
Burnout is such a real situation in any of the helping professions. My wish is that programs do focus upon helping students learn how to do the job well without burning out. However, there is such a cycle of turnover in fields such as teaching that new students are not given any grace in stepping into the role. I’ve cycled through burn out several times in my field, questioned why and there have been times when I wasn’t sure. However, it is when I am with a client who openly reminds me that I have helped them that I remember why I do what I do.
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I couldn’t agree with you more! Sometimes the best thing to do is just take a break, step away so you remember why you were there in the first place, things always look different with some perspective. It’s tricky not to get caught up in the politics of the workplace and let it start overshadowing our purpose.
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I am not surprised at all at that statistic! As the inclusion general education teacher, I really get it. It is not the students. They are the why. It is the meetings and the paperwork! Hours and hours of meetings and paperwork. We get buried in it and then we just can’t climb out. If we could have a teaching assistant, a personal office manager, and a clone then maybe we would not burn out quite so fast!
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Those stats are both scary and sad. I remember when I was in elementary school, the “special ed” class was one group of children with a variety of disabilities and needs in a classroom with one teacher and one aide. We’ve come strides since then and are able to do so much more for these kids but there is still a long way to go. There is so much more that can be done to improve special education and alleviating some of the weight on the teachers’ shoulders. Thanks for sharing about this!
I work in special ed as well and I agree that it can be incredibly taxing. You’re right though – when you remember WHY you became a teacher/PT/OT/SLP, it makes the job come alive again 🙂
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The work you do is truly wonderful! I think we all need reminders every now and then of our own personal ‘why,’ no matter what it is that we do. I’m sure your students and their families are grateful you’ve been able to hold on to yours!
I think it’s awesome that you got some time off to reflect and assess if you should go back or not. I can see how the rate is so high to leave. Teaching is touch, in some areas even more than others.
As a SpEd teacher and parent, I have been in trenches that seem beyond one’s metacognition. I am at that point of 28 as a years as a parent and 16 as an educator. It’s not the kids, its the way we are e,pected to educate students. They are whole people and not just a number. I’ve seen super bad moments and super great and seek another way of teaching, because I am burnt out of admin and the numbers game to ccs.
All I know is this….if I had a special needs child,I would pray for a teacher like yourself. Thanks for getting back in the water.
Go Lions!!!
I get it. Though I can’t imagine WANTING to wake up with a sense of urgency (that’s just me) I understand completely that feeling you get when you have found your soul’s purpose. And I wish you all the best as you dive back into that world, and emerge back into those comforting waters. It sounds very, very challenging and never-ending–taking work home with you and worrying endlessly outside of the classroom–but I imagine that it’s your love of teaching that propels you to get back 🙂
XOXO
This was a great piece. I never realized the statistics. As much as it can be rewarding, that job must be hard. It is nice to hear the other side of the story. Excellent job!
Thank you for sharing your insights! I had no idea so many people left. I have HUGE respect for you as a special education teacher. It sounds incredibly challenging – I wish you all the best!
Teachers are a special kind of everyday hero! I can totally see why you get burned out! <3
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I can’t imagine being a teacher, let alone a special education teacher. I’m friends with a few and they are very special and deserve every possible recognition. Their care for their students is amazing!
It’s great that you have such solid singularity of purpose. And that you’re able to take a break and step away for a little. We really need more supports for all caregivers of kids with special needs (or kids in general). The ability to sometimes step away is really essential to being able to stick it our or enjoy it.