When I started teaching, I was told the same thing over and over again: “Burnout is normal your first year.”

But here’s the truth—they were wrong.

Burnout doesn’t have to be the default. It doesn’t have to be the price you pay to be a “good teacher.” And it definitely doesn’t have to be your story.

Today, I’m sharing what I wish someone had told me before I reached burnout, the silent signs no one warns you about, and how to get out of it if you’re already there. Let’s dive in.

My Story: Burned Out My First Year

My first year of teaching broke me in ways I didn’t expect. I loved my students. I wanted to be great at my job. So I pushed myself past my limits—day after day.

What I didn’t realize was that everyone around me had normalized burnout so deeply that no one ever mentioned there was another way.

Instead, I heard things like:

• “It’s normal to be exhausted.”

• “It gets easier after a few years.”

• “This is just how teaching is.”

But deep down, something felt off. I wasn’t just tired—I was unraveling.

The 3 Silent Signs of Burnout No One Talks About

Burnout doesn’t always show up the way people expect. Sometimes it’s quiet, subtle, and slow until one day you don’t even recognize yourself. Here are the three signs I wish I’d known to look for:

1. Emotional Fatigue

I had nothing left to give—to my family, to my friends, or to myself.
After school, I would completely dissociate. I’d stare at the ceiling, too numb to think or feel. I wasn’t recharging; I was shutting down.

2. Getting Sick Constantly

My body lived in fight-or-flight for so long that my immune system was shot.
I caught every cold, every flu, every stomach bug. Stress had pushed my cortisol so high that my body couldn’t keep up.

3. Losing Interest in Everything

The hobbies I once loved?
Forgotten.
The plans I used to look forward to?
Cancelled.

Most nights, I went straight home and stayed there. Not because I wanted rest—but because I didn’t have the energy to even want anything else.

These aren’t just signs of being “tired.” They’re red flags that something deeper is going on.

My Turning Point

At the end of that year, I had a realization that shifted everything:

My worth as a teacher wasn’t measured by how hard I worked—it was measured by the impact I made.

No one had ever said that to me before.

So I started asking: What if teaching didn’t have to feel this way?

That curiosity led me to systems—simple, repeatable processes that helped me:

• regain my time,

• protect my energy,

• simplify my planning,

• reduce behavior issues,

• and finally feel like myself again.

I learned there was another way—and once I stepped into it, I never looked back.

And here’s the best part: the first-year teachers I now coach?
Many of them avoid burnout entirely because they learn these systems before the overwhelm hits.

You don’t have to burn out to be a good teacher. You don’t have to sacrifice your mental health to make an impact. There is another way.

A Glimpse Into the Book: Read Chapter 1

This whole journey—the burnout, the turning point, the systems, the freedom—is exactly what inspired my upcoming book.

If you want a deeper look into what got me out of burnout and into a place of confidence, calm, and sustainability…

You can listen to Chapter 1 right now.

It’s raw, honest, and full of the things I wish someone had told me when I was drowning.

Because there is an easier way—and you deserve to experience it.

Wrap Up

Let’s recap what we covered today:

• My story and why burnout hit so hard.

• The 3 silent signs of burnout nobody warns you about.

• The turning point that changed everything.

• A preview of Chapter 1 from my upcoming book.

• And the reminder that: there is another way.

Burnout doesn’t have to be your story. You’re allowed to teach in a way that supports you too.

Next Steps for Teachers

If you’re ready to start stepping out of burnout and into ease:

• Join the Book Waitlist – Be the first to read new chapters and get early access bonuses.

• Download the Prep Guide – My free guide for simplifying your planning and reducing overwhelm.

• Explore The Present Teacher Circle – The membership that supports teachers in creating sustainable systems all year long.

You don’t have to keep surviving. You’re allowed to thrive.