Teacher Wellness

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

Exclusive Report

The State of Teaching
New national data on the teaching profession, vivid reporting from classrooms, and resources to help support this essential profession.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, January 22, 2026: Ninth grade teacher Tracy Byrd helps a student with her final essay on the last day of the semester at Washburn High School in Minneapolis, MN.
Ninth grade teacher Tracy Byrd helps a student with her final essay on the last day of the semester at Washburn High School in Minneapolis on Jan. 22, 2026. Bryd, the 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, has leaned on his network of state teachers of the year for support amid the challenges of increased immigration enforcement in the state.
Caroline Yang for Education Week
Teaching Profession How Teachers Across the Country Support Each Other in Times of Crisis
One Minnesota teacher received a touching display of support from a colleague 1,200 miles away.
Elizabeth Heubeck, February 6, 2026
4 min read
Wallenberg after receiving a Shakespearean educator award.
Wallenberg after receiving a Shakespearean educator award.
Brandon Mitchell
Teaching Profession How the Nation's Top Teachers Prevent Burnout
Finalists for Teacher of the Year give tips on keeping your sanity and enthusiasm in the classroom.
Sarah D. Sparks, February 4, 2026
6 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion The Most Exhausting Part of Teaching Isn't the Students
Teachers reveal what drives them from the field and what leaders can do to improve teachers' lives.
Larry Ferlazzo, January 26, 2026
9 min read
Runners workout at sunrise on a 27-degree F. morning, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Portland, Maine.
Runners work out at sunrise on 27-degree F. morning on Jan. 9, 2026, in Portland, Maine. Nearly 50% of American adults make New Year's resolutions, and about half of resolution makers aim to improve physical health.
Robert F. Bukaty/AP
Teaching Profession The Odds Are Against Teachers' Fitness Resolutions. But Here's the Good News
Teachers struggle to honor fitness resolutions but rack up major movement during school days.
Elizabeth Heubeck, January 16, 2026
4 min read
Tired female teacher sitting alone at the desk in empty classroom, relaxing after class. Woman feeling stress, burnout and exhaustion in educational environment, working in elementary school.
Education Week and E+
Teaching Profession 'I Try to Really Push Through': Teachers Battle Sleep Deprivation
Many teachers say they get less than the recommended amount of sleep a night.
Elizabeth Heubeck, January 14, 2026
5 min read
A teacher leads a lesson in an eighth-grade Spanish class.
A teacher leads a lesson in an 8th grade Spanish class. Educators are struggling with work-related stress that they aren't sleeping—find out what's causing it.
Allison Shelley for All4Ed
Teaching Profession 'Constant Juggling': Teachers Share the Job Stressors That Keep Them Up at Night
Most educators point to the intense workload that doesn't stop after the school day ends.
Jennifer Vilcarino, December 26, 2025
1 min read
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.
Sponsor
Student Well-Being & Movement Webinar
Reframe Relationships, Transform Student Outcomes
Explore easy neuroscience-based tools that strengthen relationships, reduce burnout, and drive student success
Content provided by Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI)
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