EP: 40 The Hidden Impact of School Culture on Teacher Burnout

In this episode of The #BeatTeacherBurnout Podcast, we welcome Helen, an experienced educator, therapist, and expert in positive psychology, to discuss the crucial role of school culture in teacher burnout and well-being.  Helen shares insights from her diverse career, starting as a drama teacher and progressing to leadership roles in education before transitioning into therapy and coaching.  She emphasises the importance of creating environments where both students and teachers feel psychologically safe, valued, and supported in order to thrive. Helen also opens up about her personal journey with her daughter, who experienced severe burnout in a traditional school setting. She explains how shifting to an online school and a more flexible learning environment helped her daughter regain confidence, social engagement, and overall well-being.  Drawing parallels between her daughter’s experience and teacher burnout, Helen highlights how rigid systems and unrealistic expectations contribute to stress and exhaustion in schools.  She discusses the importance of psychological safety, trust, and open communication within schools to prevent burnout, as well as practical steps leaders can take to foster a more inclusive and supportive culture. Tune in to gain valuable insights on how school leaders can create environments that empower teachers to voice concerns, engage in decision-making, and ultimately find a balance that allows them to flourish both professionally and personally. To learn more about Helen Day, find her on:Facebook: The Home of Hope : A supportive community for parents of neurodivergent daughters, offering tools and techniques from positive psychology to help families thrive.Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/helen-day-positive-leadersWebsite: https://www.positive-leaders.co.uk/    Follow me on:1. Instagram: @rowenaphicks2. Facebook: Rowena Hicks3. Linked In: Rowena HicksEmail me: [email protected] Visit my website for Books, Journals, Free Community and lots of other interesting stuff: www.rowenahicks.com