Beyond the Classroom: The Cost of Caring Too Much

In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I sit down with Hannah, headteacher at Orchards (TCAT). We begin by talking about her unlikely source of calm: her farm animals. Between ducks, pigs, chickens, and her kids playing in the mud, that space is where she truly disconnects and resets.Together, we explore the emotional toll of teaching and leadership, especially the quiet burnout that comes from being constantly responsible for others. Hannah and I unpack what it means to lead human-first: to bring compassion, self-awareness, and honesty into a system that often forgets teachers are people too.We also talk about what leadership really means, how it’s not about being perfect, but about being reflective and humble enough to keep learning. I share a five-minute meeting opener from my 5 Minutes to Thrive course that helps teams begin conversations with reflection instead of rush.Hannah explains how she’s building a culture that models wellbeing, not just preaches it. At Orchards, every teacher gets one off-site PPA afternoon a week, and senior leaders are expected to actually take time themselves because showing balance is just as important as talking about it.We dive into the loneliness of the DSL role and Hannah’s new book, The Honest DSL, written to name the hidden emotional weight of safeguarding and offer real solidarity. She also wrote The Honest Headteacher, both with Teacher Writers.In this conversation, we cover:Why emotional burnout is increasing and how to respond with empathy and realism.What a truly human school culture looks like.How reflection and self-awareness can become a team habit in under five minutes a week.Why leaders must model healthy boundaries, not just talk about them.The importance of visible structures like off-site PPAs to show trust and respect.How to protect family life without guilt and reject toxic “either/or” narratives.Why safeguarding roles need community and emotional backup, not just training.Connect with Hannah Carter:LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/hannah-carter-73485774Blog: https://theeducationimpactnetwork.edublogs.org/Want to find out more about my new course 5 Minutes to Thrive? Go to my website at www.rowenahicks.comFollow 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