Back to School 2025/26: How to Conquer the Dreaded Adjunct Duty List Without Burning Out

Send us Fan MailHey teacher friend — you’re back in school, and guess what’s making its rounds again? Yep… the dreaded adjunct duty list 😬In Part 2 of our Back-to-School 2025–2026 series, we’re tackling one of the most exhausting parts of a teacher’s year: having to sign up for extra duties you didn’t actually sign up for. From lunch supervision to leading yearbook, organizing graduation, or being “voluntold” to coach a sport, these adjunct duties can quickly turn your week upside down.But it doesn’t have to be that way. 🙅‍♀️In this episode, I’ll show you how to strategically approach the adjunct duty list so you can:✅ Align duties with your passions ✅ Avoid energy-draining commitments ✅ Use your voice (and contracts!) to advocate for better boundaries ✅ Learn to say "yes" with limitations or confidently say "no" without guilt ✅ Shift your mindset from “I have to” ➡️ “I get to”Plus, I’ll tell you the true story of how I unknowingly gave up YEARS of unpaid extra work… only for someone else to get a stipend and a sub when I finally stepped away. (Yep. That one stung.) 😅🎯 This isn’t about being difficult — it’s about being intentional. You deserve to feel fulfilled, not frustrated.🔥 You’ll Also Learn:Why saying no is actually saying yes to something betterHow to reframe the “martyr teacher” mindsetThe “Tale of Two Duties”: how one teacher’s dream duty is another’s nightmare (and vice versa)How to advocate for equitable duty distribution (especially if you're the newbie 🐣)What to do if you’ve always had the same duty and want OUTScripts + mindset tips for negotiating your way to better balance 💬🧠🎯 Binge These Related Episodes:🎙️ Ep 2: How to Say No Without Sounding Like a Jerk (And Still Be Student-Focused)🎙️ Ep 48: How to Say Yes With Limitations and Keep Your Sanity🎙️ Ep 60: What to Do When Your Class List Feels Totally Unfair🎙️ Ep 62: Why You Must Double Down on Classroom Management NOW ➡️ To get your FREE 🎁 PDF Guide The Professional Teacher's Guide to Saying "No" visit: www.gracestevens.com/saynoWant to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life?   Check out my signature on-demand self-study course, Balance Your Teacher Life.  Complete details here: www.gracestevens.com/balance📘 My latest (and greatest!) book:The Empowered Teacher ToolkitCheck out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book hereMy TPT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/grace-stevens-happy-classroomsWanna get social?https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacherhttps://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacherhttps://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)