EP: 45 The journey of an ECT with overwhelm!

In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by Priv, a passionate and resilient Religious Education teacher from Portsmouth, who shares her powerful and deeply moving journey as an Early Career Teacher (ECT). From beginning her training while five months pregnant during the pandemic to enduring a challenging and unsupportive mentorship, Priv opens up about the overwhelming pressures she faced and the emotional cost of feeling unseen and undervalued. Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, support, and the right school culture to help teachers thrive. What really stood out to me was how, after finally finding herself in a nurturing and encouraging environment, Priv experienced the emotional release of everything she had been holding in. She speaks with heartfelt honesty about asking for help, building a strong support network, leaning on her faith, and learning to prioritise rest over relentless productivity. Her insights are incredibly valuable for new teachers, mentors, and school leaders who want to build healthier, more compassionate school communities. To learn more about Priv Obrike, find her on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priv-obrike-15b76221b 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