Teacher Burnout and Depression: When the Teacher Needs Help
Teacher burnout is sometimes much much more. Burnout and depression can hide inside a teacher who looks like she's doing everything right.
Now, I want to be careful with this episode. These are some hard things that a teacher dealt with in the classroom.
Content note: this episode talks about depression, a student's suicidal thoughts and child abuse.
Nicole Terrizzi taught for four years through Teach For America in Kansas City and then in Oakland, and has spent nearly 15 years in nonprofit work that serves education. She wrote her story in the memoir Learning in Free Fall.
In today's episode, Nicole pulls back the curtain on the trauma that happened in her classroom, her own struggle to make it right (with an administrator that she believed didn't back her up), a hospital stay, and the treatment she says saved her life. She also tells the story about the principal whose hard conversation pointed her toward a new path.
This is Nicole's story, shared so other teachers feel less alone. This episode is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. Everyone's situation is different. If you're struggling, reach out to a licensed professional, and if you're in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
What you'll learn:
- What happened after she called Child Protective Services as a mandated reporter
- Why her principal told her she was disappointed in her
- The question one wise principal asked that changed her career
- The struggle to stay in the classroom
- The boundary she wishes she'd drawn as a first-year teacher
- Why she tells struggling teachers to keep knocking
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you're worried a child is being harmed, call or text the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
Full show notes, transcript, and resources: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e1023
