One Tired Teacher: Teaching Without Burnout

Trina Deboree
  • 4.9 (17)
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One Tired Teacher: Teaching Without Burnout is a podcast for tired teachers who want to keep teaching without burning out. If you’re exhausted by constant pressure, shifting expectations, and the feeling that you’re never doing enough, this show offers grounded support and a practical perspective to help you teach sustainably. Each episode explores teaching without burnout—from navigating evaluations and testing season to simplifying instruction, setting boundaries, and choosing classroom practices that are calm, humane, and actually work. We talk honestly about what teaching feels like right now, and how to protect your energy, your values, and your students’ learning without performative extras. This is real talk for educators who love kids but are done sacrificing themselves for the job. You’ll find encouragement, classroom-rooted insight, and permission to trust what you already know—because sustainable teaching isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters. If you’re a burned-out teacher looking for clarity, calm, and a way forward that doesn’t cost your well-being, you’re in the right place.

  1. 6h ago

    Put Teaching Down For A Minute, Teachers 299

    Send us Fan Mail Summer break can start and somehow you still feel like you’re on duty. If your body is home but your brain is still in the classroom, I made this one for you. I keep it simple on purpose, no new system, no productivity plan, just a pause to breathe and reconnect with yourself outside of teaching.  I tell the truth about what it looked like when I let the job become my whole life, starting with a brutal first year in 1997 and years of living in fight or flight. I talk about getting sick, trying to prove myself, and how that constant grind bled into my marriage and my sense of identity. Teacher burnout is not abstract for me; it shows up as anxiety and depression, autoimmune disease, and the kind of exhaustion that makes you wonder if you can even make it to retirement. If you’ve ever felt like school “takes and takes” until there’s nothing left, you’ll recognise yourself here.  Then we turn the corner toward teacher boundaries and teacher self-care that actually matter. Whether you’re in your first five years or you’re a veteran educator, I remind you that you’re a human being with multiple roles and needs, and you deserve to invest in all of them. I also share a gentle nudge for what rest can look like right now, plus a quick update on plans for episode 300 and how I’d love to bring more teacher voices into that celebration.  If this helped you exhale, subscribe to One Tired Teacher, share it with a teacher friend who needs permission to rest, and leave a review so more educators can find it. What is one boundary you want to hold this summer? Support the show Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice.   👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

    11 min

  2. Jun 8

    Seven Things I Wish I Knew Before Teaching 298

    Send us Fan Mail What would you tell the version of yourself who is trying so hard to do everything perfectly? I’m revisiting a Teacher Truth conversation I recorded years ago and adding what I’d tell myself now, with a clearer view of boundaries, identity, and what it really takes to stay well in this profession. We talk about why teaching cannot be your whole personality and why staying late should never be a badge of honor. I share the painful reality many educators meet sooner or later: being shamed for work life balance, being “voluntold” into more responsibilities, and feeling like your time is never truly your own. If you’ve ever gone home carrying the weight of the day and wondered why it feels impossible to switch off, you’ll feel seen here. We also get honest about the systems that can twist good intentions. Standardized testing and test score pressure can damage student confidence and leave teachers with moral distress, especially when kids feel ashamed or defeated. On top of that, we name the practical challenges that drive teacher burnout: low teacher pay, lack of professional respect, paying out of pocket for classroom supplies, and the way teaching can make you feel trapped when you try to transition to a different career. This is a heavy one, but it’s meant to help you protect your heart and remember you’re not alone. If it resonates, subscribe, share it with a teacher friend, and leave a review so more educators can find this kind of honest support. Support the show Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice.   👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

    21 min

  3. Jun 1

    When Boundaries Aren’t Enough: Teacher Burnout Explained 297

    Send us Fan Mail Burnout is brutal enough, but the most disorienting version is the kind that lands even when we set boundaries, do the inner work, and try to teach in a grounded way. We talk about why that happens, why burnout is not an accusation, and how misalignment and masking can quietly drain teachers who genuinely care. I’m joined by Miriam Groom, founder and CEO of Mindful Career, a behavioural career therapist and organisational psychologist who has helped thousands of people navigate burnout, career transitions, and work that actually fits. We dig into what career alignment can look like for students and for educators who feel trapped in the profession. Miriam explains why many common career assessments fall flat for younger kids, and why observation is often a better starting point: noticing strengths in real time, naming what’s unique about a student, and reframing “negative” traits into clues about motivation and values. We also name the bigger system problem: schools and teachers are expected to do everything, while guidance support is thin and testing pressures crowd out the human side of learning. Then we get practical with Holland Codes (RIASEC), a research-backed framework that connects interests and “brain types” to career families. You’ll hear simple descriptions of Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional patterns, plus how mixed profiles can explain why someone thrives in one environment and burns out in another. We also share a concrete tool you can use today: O*NET Online, including how to explore job matches, training pathways, salaries, and “similar jobs” that reveal real transferable skills for teachers considering their next move. If this conversation helps you feel seen, share it with a teacher friend, subscribe for more, and leave a review so more educators can find support when they need it most. Links Mentioned in the Show: Mindful Career June Reading Comprehension 2nd Grade | Summer Reading Passages & Questions Perfect for end-of-year learning, summer school, or preventing summer learning loss, these short, engaging reading passages help students continue to practice comprehension skills. Support the show Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice.   👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

    48 min

  4. May 25

    When Teaching Feels Unsafe: Coping with Unfair Treatment from School Administrators Episode 296

    Send us Fan Mail What do you do when the part of teaching that scares you isn’t the kids, it’s the adults with power? I’m replaying a conversation that stayed with me for a reason: it names the kind of educator pain we’re often pressured to keep quiet about. My guest (sharing anonymously as “Nancy”) describes what it feels like to be targeted, talked down to, and evaluated through systems that ignore the reality of student needs, classroom complexity, and basic human limits. We dig into the pressure cooker of standardized testing and teacher evaluations, including how “accountability” gets reduced to one test on one day. We talk about how that mindset can warp how we see students, push teachers into constant self-doubt, and fuel toxic school culture. Nancy shares what happens when administrators refuse to offer support, when improvement plans become surveillance, and when non-union districts leave educators feeling unprotected. I also share my own experience of being written up after advocating for my health and safety at work. There’s hope here, too. Nancy explains how moving into a technology role helped her breathe again, and how makerspace and STEM learning brought back joy, creativity, and real engagement for students who struggle in rigid, test-driven classrooms. We also get practical about coping strategies: documentation, boundaries, grants, and finding ways to keep doing what’s right for kids even when leadership tries to “reel you in.” If you’ve felt that knot in your stomach before work, I want you to hear this clearly: you’re not alone, and your worth is not defined by someone else’s agenda. Subscribe for more honest teacher stories, share this with a colleague who needs it, and leave a review with the one line you wish an administrator understood. Links Mentioned in the Show: Last Week of School Activities 1st & 2nd Grade | End of Year Theme Days June Reading Comprehension 2nd Grade | Summer Reading Passages & Questions Perfect for end-of-year learning, summer school, or preventing summer learning loss, these short, engaging reading passages help students continue to practice comprehension skills. Support the show Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice.   👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

    1h 13m

  5. May 18

    Theme Weeks That Actually Work in the Classroom Episode 295

    Send us Fan Mail May is when solid routines start to wobble, not because you suddenly forgot how to teach, but because the school calendar turns into a nonstop interruption machine. If your class feels unpredictable right now, I’m here with a calming reminder: you don’t need more end-of-year activities. You need a structure that holds the days together. I walk through how end of the year theme weeks bring novelty without chaos by keeping your schedule predictable while giving students something exciting to rally around. Think camp week, beach week, western hoedown, superheroes, sports, or even a glow week with black lights and glow-in-the-dark materials. The goal is simple: keep student engagement high, reduce planning stress, and help you get work done at work so the final stretch doesn’t steal your evenings. We also dig into a practical classroom management approach for theme days: start with everyone included, tie participation to clear expectations, and if a student loses an activity, build in a way to earn it back. That small shift protects you and the child, because when kids think there’s no path back, behavior often falls off a cliff. Predictability plus a chance to recover is a powerful combination in May. If you’re looking for end of year classroom ideas that actually support learning, reduce decision fatigue, and make the last week feel fun and focused, this one’s for you. Subscribe for more real-life teaching support, share this with a teacher friend who’s running on fumes, and leave a review with the theme your class would love most. Links Mentioned in the Show: Theme Week End of the Year Bundle Camp End of the Year Week-Long Unit FREE Editable Camp Awards Support the show Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice.   👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

    19 min

  6. May 11

    Reading in the Classroom Can Still Feel Good Right At the End of the School Year Episode 294

    Send us Fan Mail May can make even your strongest readers feel done, and that end of school year slide is exactly when reading starts to feel like a chore. I’m sharing a simple reset that keeps classroom reading calm, light, and genuinely enjoyable, so we can finish the year with connection instead of constant pushing. The goal is not to squeeze out one more checklist, it’s to make reading feel like something kids want to return to. We talk about why read alouds are the fastest way to reignite reading motivation and rebuild stamina when everyone is tired. I also share camp themed ideas that make reading feel special without a ton of prep, including cozy “tent” reading at desks, reading under desks, and even a faux campfire setup for storytelling. You’ll hear specific camp friendly book picks like Bailey’s Camp Out, A Camping Spree With Mr McGee, Not So Scary Stories For Kids Around The Campfire, and more to spark that love of reading again. If you’re looking for end of year reading activities that still support real literacy skills, we dig into options that tie fun to comprehension and sequencing: decodable reading, compare and contrast, readers theater in an easy to follow format, reading bingo, book recommendations, and student made reading commercials. I also point you to editable camp awards you can grab free, plus a camp themed reading unit that works for whole group, small group, centers, and even summer school. Subscribe so you don’t miss next week, and if this helped you, share it with a teacher friend and leave a quick review so more tired teachers can find calm reading routines. Links Mentioned in the Show: Camping Worksheets: Reading Comprehension | Camp Read A Lot Camp End of the Year Week-Long Unit FREE Editable Camp Awards Support the show Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice.   👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

    12 min

  7. May 4

    The Last Weeks of School Don’t Have to Be Chaos in the Classroom Episode 293

    Send us Fan Mail The last week of school can make the best teachers feel like everything is coming apart at once: grades due, rooms to pack, routines blown up by assemblies, and kids who are equal parts excited and dysregulated. I’m sharing a practical way to calm the chaos without adding more to your plate, so you can finish the year strong instead of crawling across the finish line.   We walk through a simple “classroom camp” approach for the final week, built around one big idea: keep your normal schedule as steady as possible and drop themed activities into your usual blocks. That structure helps student behaviour, protects your energy, and gives you real time to tackle end-of-year tasks during the school day. You’ll hear literacy options like reader’s theatre for fluency, campfire-style storytelling, journal reflections, and book commercials, plus maths practice, problem solving, graphing, and game-style review that still feels like learning.   We also talk about small, high-impact extras that make the week memorable without being complicated, including a bubbles investigation that blends science and maths while cleaning desks in the process. Finally, I share a behaviour system that uses activities as incentives, a “success spot” for reset time, and the most important piece: letting students earn their way back so they don’t spiral once they’ve made a mistake. If you’re searching for end of school year classroom activities, classroom management strategies, and a realistic plan for the last week of school, this one’s for you.   If this helps, subscribe, share it with a teacher friend, and leave a quick review so more tired teachers can end the year with calm. Links Mentioned in the Show: Camp End of the Year Week-Long Unit FREE Editable Camp Awards Camp End of the Year (on TpT) Support the show Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice.   👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

    22 min

  8. Apr 27

    Themed STEM in the Classroom: The End-of-Year Behavior Trick for Teachers Episode 292

    Send us Fan Mail The sprint to summer for teachers doesn’t have to feel like a grind. We share a practical, energizing way to turn late-April restlessness into focused learning with themed STEM that honors where students are right now in the classroom. If you’re tired of cramming and watching behavior slide, this conversation offers a humane reset: clear routines, simple materials, and challenges that spark curiosity without creating more work after hours. We start by calling out a frustrating trend for teachers—pushing next year’s standards onto this year’s learners—and explain why it backfires on confidence and retention. Then we map out a better plan built on the five Cs plus curiosity: collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and the spark that keeps kids leaning in while in the classroom. You’ll hear how to break the engineering design process into short daily blocks—ask, imagine, plan, build, test, revise—so momentum stays high and management stays calm. No fancy supplies needed; cardboard, popsicle sticks, tape, clay, and paper are enough to fuel camp-themed or superhero-themed challenges that feel real and fun. Along the way, we show how iteration reframes “failure” as progress, building grit that actually helps during testing. You’ll get concrete ideas for roles within teams, quick reflections that make thinking visible, and small recognition rituals that create community inside the classroom. Expect practical examples, from campsite problem-solving to superhero gadgets, plus tips for pacing, storage, and resets that protect your energy. The goal is simple: finish strong without sacrificing yourself, and let joy sit alongside rigor. Ready to try it, teachers? Grab my free editable Camp Classroom Awards to celebrate unique strengths and end the year on a high note. If this resonated, subscribe, share with a teacher friend, and leave a quick review telling us your favorite end-of-year STEM win. Links Mentioned in the Show: Theme Stem FREEBIE: Editable Camp Awards Support the show Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice.   👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

    11 min
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4.9
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

One Tired Teacher: Teaching Without Burnout is a podcast for tired teachers who want to keep teaching without burning out. If you’re exhausted by constant pressure, shifting expectations, and the feeling that you’re never doing enough, this show offers grounded support and a practical perspective to help you teach sustainably. Each episode explores teaching without burnout—from navigating evaluations and testing season to simplifying instruction, setting boundaries, and choosing classroom practices that are calm, humane, and actually work. We talk honestly about what teaching feels like right now, and how to protect your energy, your values, and your students’ learning without performative extras. This is real talk for educators who love kids but are done sacrificing themselves for the job. You’ll find encouragement, classroom-rooted insight, and permission to trust what you already know—because sustainable teaching isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters. If you’re a burned-out teacher looking for clarity, calm, and a way forward that doesn’t cost your well-being, you’re in the right place.

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