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One Tired TeacherAuthor: Trina Deboree
Teachers have important things to say and share about teaching, life, teaching, and learning. A podcast for teachers brings you the stories and inspiration behind the scenes from classrooms around the globe. Honest conversations about teacher tired and passion-filled teaching allow educators to speak their truth on the trials and treasures of being a teacher. Language: en Genres: Education, Kids & Family Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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You Are Enough: Surviving February Burnout and Evaluation Pressure
Episode 280
Sunday, 1 February, 2026
Send us a textFebruary burnout hits hard for teachers—testing pressure, evaluations, and the constant push to do more can make even experienced educators question their worth. In this episode, we talk honestly about staying grounded, protecting your values, and teaching authentically during the hardest stretch of the school year.February can feel like a pressure cooker—testing talk, evaluation season, and the quiet drumbeat of “do more” echoing through the halls. We get real about that weight and share a grounded way to protect your energy, your values, and your classroom community without slipping into performative teaching.We start by unpacking the scarcity mindset that tells some teachers they’re “second string,” then flip the script: your worth isn’t measured by a rubric or a test window. From there, we reframe observations with a simple shift—think hospitality, not performance. You still teach authentically, but you prepare for “company” so students and you feel ready. We walk through practical moves for pre‑ and post‑conferences, how to bring evidence that shows growth beyond a 45‑minute slice, and language that explains mid‑lesson pivots with confidence.We also tackle the fidelity trap when big‑ticket programs underdeliver. Instead of grinding through one‑size‑fits‑all tasks, we advocate for principled alignment: meet the requirement briefly, then pivot to what actually serves kids. STEM becomes the spark—hands‑on, standards‑aligned, and community-building. Using a read‑aloud like After the Fall, we model how to turn resilience into an engineering challenge that builds grit, creativity, and collaboration. It’s not “more work”; it’s better work that lights up learners and maps to what evaluators hope to see.If February feels heavy, let this be your reminder: you don’t have to do it all to matter. Protect what aligns with your heart, document the good, and let your authentic practice lead the way. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a teacher who needs the boost, and leave a quick review—what aligned choice will you make this week?Links Mentioned in the Show:February Freebie- GRIT STEM Story StationSupport the show🌿 You can’t pour from an empty cup — but with the Sub Survival System, you’ll never have to panic when you need a day. Ready-to-go sub plans designed by a teacher who’s been there. Because rest isn’t a luxury — it’s part of the job. 👉 [Explore the Sub Survival System on TpT] 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. Reviews help other teachers find my podcast. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
