Teacher Wellness

Stress. Burnout. Long hours. Increasing demands. Insights into teachers’ mental and physical wellness and what schools can do

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The State of Teaching
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Illustration of crossed out cellphone, equal sign and happy face.
F. Sheehan/Education Week + Getty
Teaching Profession Do Cellphone Bans Curb Teacher Burnout?
Researchers examined the impact on teachers in two middle schools.
Arianna Prothero, November 25, 2025
4 min read
Education Week opinion letters submissions
Gwen Keraval for Education Week
Teaching Profession Letter to the Editor How Teachers Can Take Care of Themselves
A retired teacher shares recommendations on setting healthy work-life boundaries.
October 31, 2025
1 min read
Monique Cox walks her dog, Kobe, during a short break between jobs.
Monique Cox walks her dog, Kobe, during a short break between jobs. Teachers like Cox who also parent young children have the most difficulty with work-life balance, a new RAND survey finds.
Sophie Park for Education Week
Teaching Profession For Teachers, Work-Life Boundaries Are Harder to Keep Than Ever
New surveys find teachers have less flexibility, more intrusive jobs than peers in other jobs.
Sarah D. Sparks, October 14, 2025
5 min read
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
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Photo of stressed teacher.
iStock
Teaching Profession How School Leaders Can Help Teachers Avoid Burnout
Administrators share insights on preventing teacher burnout and supporting staff well-being.
Elizabeth Heubeck, October 7, 2025
5 min read
3D Isometric Flat Vector Conceptual Illustration of self-reflection and breaking out of preconceived notions.
iStock/Getty + Education Week
Teaching Profession Opinion I Tied My Self-Worth to Teaching. That's Why I Had to Leave
Trying to be the perfect educator in my second year brought an insane amount of pressure.
Annie Kiyonaga, September 24, 2025
4 min read
Woman on the boat rowing through a calm natural landscape. Concept art of way, journey, success, hope, life, dream and freedom.
Jorm Sangsorn/iStock
Teaching Profession Opinion Healthy Work-Life Boundaries: 4 Tips for Teachers
Here’s how to start planning now for taking care of yourself this school year, from a former teacher.
Robyn Neilsen, August 15, 2025
3 min read
Unhappy woman with head in her hands and shown with paint splatter effect
E+/Getty/Getty
Teaching Profession Professional Learning Guide Your Guide to Teacher Mental Health & Well-Being
Explore practical, research-backed strategies designed to improve teacher morale, retention, and effectiveness.
August 6, 2025
An illustration of hands on the keyboard of a laptop with a male educator writing a speech bubble on a green classroom chalkboard.
Taylor Callery for Education Week
English Learners Here's What Resources ESL Teachers Say Would Improve Their Morale
EdWeek Research Center survey data found two key priorities that could raise morale.
Ileana Najarro & Alex Harwin, July 25, 2025
3 min read
Illustration of a close up head of a male educator from the eyes up with open head / mind. Creating a platform for a scene in which we find mental health counselor and empty seat across from him. Radiating lines acting as sun rays emanating from sun / mind. These elements are drawn in chalk on board. Radiating sun reflects the idea of the positivity found in the process of working with a mental health counselor.
Taylor Callery for Education Week
English Learners Why ESL Teachers Are Calling for More Mental Health Support
Survey data analysis found more mental health counselors at school can boost morale for English-as-a-second language teachers.
Ileana Najarro & Alex Harwin, July 25, 2025
3 min read
The National Education Association choir sings before the union's annual representative assembly on July 3, 2025, in Portland, Ore.
Attendees of the National Education Association's 2025 representative assembly cheer during a speech by NEA President Becky Pringle on July 3, 2025, in Portland, Ore. Delegates voted on a wide range of measures, including some related to teacher safety, immigration, and cellphones.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Teaching Profession Trump Looms Large as the Nation's Largest Teachers' Union Sets Its Priorities
During its annual meeting, the NEA strategized about its response to federal education policies.
Sarah D. Sparks, July 6, 2025
8 min read
Mindset growth woman self care concept. Mental health positive success person. Flower woman head happy think.
Madina Asileva/iStock
Teaching Profession Opinion ‘Gen Z Isn’t Lazy’: Let’s Rethink What We Expect of New Teachers
When a new teacher requested a mental health day, I flinched—then I listened.
Meagan Booth, May 22, 2025
4 min read
Student Carrera Crittenden participates in an activity during a theatre class at Weber High School, taught by Mark Daniels, on January 13, 2025 in Pleasant View, Utah. Daniels incorporates a lot of movement in the students during all of his classes.
Student Carrera Crittenden participates in an activity during a theatre class at Weber High School, taught by Mark Daniels, on January 13, 2025 in Pleasant View, Utah. Daniels incorporates a lot of movement in the students during all of his classes.
Kim Raff for Education Week
School & District Management Active Kids Are Better Learners. Here's How Principals Can Get Them Moving
In an era of waning recess, here are a few tips to make learning more than just a "sit-and-get" lesson.
Olina Banerji, May 20, 2025
4 min read
Teaching Profession Video In This School, Teachers Dance Their Stress Away
This New York charter school offers teachers a Friday afternoon dance class to decompress from the week and connect with each other.
2:22