22. Overwhelmed and Undervalued: Mental Health Struggles in Teaching

If you’re a teacher, you probably know the feeling of juggling too many things all at once, taking care of all the people around you. But how often do you stop to check in with yourself?Today we’re diving into a topic that’s not talked about enough, especially in education. It’s something that impacts each one of us every day—mental health. I’ll share a vulnerable story about my mental health journey, and talk about why taking care of our mental health as teachers is just as important as the lessons we deliver in the classroom.We’ll talk about what the signs of anxiety and depression may look like, as well as practical ways to support your mental well-being when the demands of teaching feel overwhelming. So whether you’re feeling burned out, or you’re curious about how to build healthier habits, this conversation is one that we all need.Episode Highlights:03:28 - Why teachers are prone to mental health struggles, and how that shows up in the classroom07:09 -  How mental health struggles lead to burnout in the classroom10:06 - My own journey with mental health and why I left a job I thought I would love16:49 - Practical steps to build healthy habits and prevent burnoutLinks & Resources:The Thinking ReaderFree Close Reading GuidebookThe Literacy Lounge Facebook groupLeave your rating and review on Apple Podcasts!Show Notes: https://cieraharristeaching.com/episode22Mentioned in this episode:The Thinking Reader* is a must-have for teachers looking to bridge the gap between phonics and deep comprehension. Packed with research-backed strategies, this book helps students think critically and truly understand what they read. https://cieraharristeaching.com/the-thinking-reader/