5 Warning Signs You’re Headed for Teacher Burnout (And How to Stop It Before It’s Too Late)
- Erin Sponaugle
- Oct 3
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 7
Teaching isn’t just a job—it’s an all-in profession. You were probably thinking or working on something teaching-related before you started reading this (and it's probably after hours on a school night). Right now, many teachers are feeling like this school year might be the one that finally breaks them. With new demands, bigger class sizes, and the weight of the world showing up in our classrooms, it’s no wonder burnout is accelerating at light speed.
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The truth? Burnout doesn’t just “happen.” There are warning signs—physical, mental, and emotional—that show up first. And recognizing them early can help you take back control before teaching drains the life out of you.
In this post, I’ll share the five warning signs you’re headed for teacher burnout (all of which I’ve experienced myself as a burnout survivor). I’ll also share the mindset shifts and boundary strategies I teach in my new book, Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching.
Because teachers deserve more than survival—we deserve to thrive and not feel like we're hanging on by the thread of our favorite emotional support cardigan.
Want to listen to this message instead of read? You can hear the audio version in my podcast or click the Mp3 below.
What Teacher Burnout Really Is
Burnout isn’t just being tired. It’s when the stress of teaching eats you from the inside out. You feel depleted, shut down, and like you have nothing left for your students, your family, or yourself.
And here’s the scary truth: when teachers are at this breaking point, students feel it too. That’s why teacher well-being isn’t just “nice to have.” It’s essential for the future of education. Kids need teachers who are happy, healthy, and whole. If kids see their teachers in a constant state of burnout, what's the likelihood that they will have an interest in pursuing a career in education.
The system absolutely needs reform, but the one thing we can control right now is how we respond—our mindset, our boundaries, and the way we prioritize ourselves.
The 5 Warning Signs of Teacher Burnout we're going to look at are:
Teacher Burnout Warning Sign #1: Exhaustion That Goes Beyond “Tired”
This isn’t just about needing a nap after school. This is physical and emotional exhaustion where your body has no steam left. You collapse at home, you feel anxious or on edge, and eventually, your immune system gives out too—hello endless colds.
When exhaustion has drained every drop from your cup, it’s not just about rest—it’s a signal your lifestyle and workload need to change. As you get older, the implications of letting your body take a beating from exhaustion increase and can lead to even more serious health issues than the sniffles. The time to take action is now.
Teacher Burnout Warning Sign #2: Detachment from Your Work
Does nothing about teaching feel joyful anymore, even the things that you loved to do. (like bulletin boards or game day with your class)? Detachment sneaks in when you no longer feel joy in the classroom. The things that once lit you up now feel flat. You stop caring about the lessons you used to love, and you start questioning whether you matter at all.
That loss of connection is one of the most painful parts of burnout—and it’s also a huge red flag. When we cease to love what we wake up to each morning, we are selling ourselves short of a life that brings us joy and happiness. You deserve better than that.
Teacher Burnout Warning Sign #3: Lack of Motivation
A stack of papers sits on your desk all week. You know how to fill out a field trip request, but the thought of doing so is as enticing as cleaning the cafeteria restroom after lunch. Simple tasks you've done for years feel like mountains. You procrastinate even on things you know would only take a few minutes.
It’s not laziness—it’s burnout. Your brain is protecting itself from further overload by shutting down your drive. You might feel like the teacher who has given up, but it's really your body's defense mechanism as it not-so-quietly pleads for a break.
Teacher Burnout Warning Sign #4: Brain Fog
This is the one that freaked me out the most. I pride myself on being sharp as a tack. When I started feeling "glitchy" and hazy all the time, I panicked. For the longest time, I thought I had something seriously wrong with me. Burnout doesn’t just make you tired; it makes you fuzzy. Concentration slips. Lesson plans take twice as long. Even answering parent emails feels like wading through molasses.
That haze you feel? It’s your mind’s warning light that you’re pushing beyond your capacity. Brain fog can be associated with other health conditions other than teacher burnout, but that sloggy feeling is a clear indicator that something in your life needs to change.
Teacher Burnout Warning Sign #5: Irritability and a Short Fuse
As teachers, we take pride in our patience. Every once in a while we hit our breaking point (hello, 6-7, I've had enough of you, no cap), but for the most part, we tend to stay in control of our emotions. But when burnout sets in, even the little things set you off—students, colleagues, or the never-ending to-do list. You snap more easily, and it can impact both relationships and classroom climate. Your tone and reactions may be uncharacteristically harsh, and every little annoyance feels like a full-on aggravation.
This isn’t who you are. It’s what burnout does when you’ve ignored your own needs for too long. When teachers are overwhelmed and at their breaking points, it's only human to have big emotions, even if we aren't so proud of them later.
Why This Matters (And What You Can Do Next)
Teacher burnout is real. I know because I lived it. Nine years ago, I hit a wall so hard I thought I had no option but to quit teaching. However, I discovered another approach—a way to remain in the profession I loved without compromising my health, relationships, or myself.
That’s why I wrote Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching. It’s not another “do more self-care” pep talk. (I don't even like those kinds of books.) It’s a practical, proven guide to reclaiming your energy, setting boundaries that stick, and rediscovering the joy of teaching again.
Final Thoughts
If you’re nodding along to these five signs, it’s time to take action—not just for your students, but for yourself. You don’t have to let burnout be the end of your teaching story.
➡️ Grab your copy of Teachaholic here and take the first step toward a healthier, more fulfilling career in education.
You won't want to start reading Teachaholic without the Teachaholic Action Guide! It's a FREE resource I created with reflection questions, graphic organizers, and guidance that goes along with every chapter. Get your copy below!