Teacher Wellbeing |10 Boundaries for a Better School Year

As we start the new year, we begin another year of teaching. For many teachers, this brings excitement, new challenges, and the start of a fresh and exciting school year. Along with all this positive energy, it can also bring feelings of anxiousness and worry about the stress that comes with teaching in the modern era. These emotions don’t need to be normalized, and there are evidence-based strategies we can use to ensure this year of teaching is healthier, both mentally and physically. By setting clear boundaries for ourselves, we can also set a good example for those around us.

If this list of suggestions feels daunting, I’d recommend picking a handful of achievable goals and setting them as your focus for the first half of the year. If you choose goals that are realistic, you’re more likely to continue adding to these healthy teaching goals as the year goes on. Some of these may already be things you do, and if so, that’s fantastic! You’re already on the path to creating a healthy work-life balance in education.

This list isn’t meant to limit you as a teacher, bring you down, or cast negativity on the educational space. If anything, it does the opposite. It’s here to help ensure you have longevity in the education field, allowing you to be the best version of yourself for your students, colleagues, and, most importantly, for yourself and your loved ones.

1) Clear Boundaries

Setting boundaries is a powerful tool to help keep yourself accountable and stay on track during a busy school year. A boundary might be a specific time limit for how late you’ll stay at school on any given day. It could also be a general rule, like not doing any work on weekends, or an expectation you set with colleagues and families that you won’t be available outside of set or reasonable working hours. Boundaries can take many forms, but they are all designed to help you create a clear separation between work life and home life.

Research: Setting boundaries between work and personal time can reduce burnout. A study in The International Journal of Educational Management found that teachers who had clear boundaries reported lower levels of work stress and higher job satisfaction.
Source: International Journal of Educational Management (2017)

2) Delegate When Possible

It’s okay to ask for help and to lean on your colleagues. For the most part, fellow teachers are always happy to help. Network, build relationships and mutually support your co-workers.

Research: Delegating tasks can ease teacher workload and help prevent burnout. A study by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) found that when teachers were able to share responsibilities with peers, they felt more supported and less overwhelmed.
Source: American Federation of Teachers (2020)

3) Use Planning Time Efficiently

Research: Efficient use of planning time helps teachers manage workload and reduce after-school hours. A study from The Teachers’ Work-Life Study found that teachers who used their prep time effectively reported spending 2-3 fewer hours outside of school on lesson preparation.
Source: The Teachers’ Work-Life Study (2019)

4) Prioritise Self-Care

Research: Regular exercise and self-care activities can reduce stress and increase job satisfaction. According to a study in Teaching and Teacher Education, teachers who engaged in regular physical activity reported less emotional exhaustion and more positive teaching experiences.
Source: Teaching and Teacher Education (2018)

5) Simplify Grading

Research: Simplifying grading can save time and reduce stress. A National Education Association (NEA) report found that teachers who used digital grading tools and rubrics were able to cut grading time by up to 30%, allowing more time for personal activities.

Source: National Education Association (2020)

6) Set Realistic Expectations

Research: Setting realistic goals and expectations reduces stress. The Journal of Educational Psychology published research showing that teachers with clear, achievable goals felt less overwhelmed and more focused on student outcomes.
Source: Journal of Educational Psychology (2017)

7) Utilise Technology

Research: Technology can streamline communication and lesson delivery. A study from EdTech Magazine showed that 58% of teachers who used digital tools for lesson planning and communication had a more manageable workload and better work-life balance.
Source: EdTech Magazine (2019)

8) Create a Support Network

Research: Teachers with strong support networks report better well-being. The Education Support Partnership found that teachers who felt supported by their colleagues and administrators were less likely to experience burnout and had higher job satisfaction.
Source: Education Support Partnership (2018)

9) Take Breaks

Research: Taking breaks during the day boosts productivity and well-being. A study in Teaching and Teacher Education found that teachers who took short breaks throughout the day were less likely to experience fatigue and burnout.
Source: Teaching and Teacher Education (2020)

10) Learn to Say No

Research: Saying no to additional responsibilities can protect teachers’ mental health. Research from The Journal of Teacher Education found that teachers who took on fewer extracurricular responsibilities had a lower risk of burnout and more time for personal activities.

Summary

The goal is to stay in the game, support students for as long as we can, and be positive role models for the people in our classrooms and the colleagues we work alongside. To achieve this, we must be the shining light that others can look to, demonstrating that we can set healthy boundaries every day while still being the best teachers we can be. At the same time, we must prioritise our mental health and well-being. Like in any other profession, we deserve the right to leave work and fully enjoy our time with family, loved ones, and engage in hobbies and passions outside of school.