Welcome to our session! Included you will find audio and video files, as well as downloadable handouts, overviews and the full transcript.

Feel free to use whichever option suits your Season of Life best. These notes are your guide as we move through the course, both in video or podcast format. Feel free to follow along, reflect, and jot down anything that resonates. Let’s dive in together. 

Welcome and Acknowledgment of Challenges (00:04 - 02:24)

• 00:04-00:26: We start by taking a moment to acknowledge how much we already have on our plates. Making time for ourselves can be tough, but by being here, we’re investing in our own well-being—not just for today but for years to come.
• 00:26-01:30: We name the feelings many of us share: overwhelmed, undervalued, and exhausted. These feelings aren’t a reflection of us—they’re tied to the ever-shifting demands of teaching and a system that often doesn’t support us.
• 01:30-02:24: Together, we reflect on the unique impact we have as educators. The work we do ripples beyond our classrooms into the lives of our students, their families, and the community.

Naming the Problem: The Challenges of Teaching Today (02:24 - 06:12)

• 02:24-03:36: We explore data from The Teaching Heartbeat survey, conducted over two years. The findings show the challenges we face are widespread:
  • 86.3% of us feel drained or exhausted by our work.
  • Only 4.2% feel excited about our jobs most days.
  • Our energy drops to 32.7% by the end of the day.
  • The teaching profession’s ENPS score is -84.03, meaning most of us wouldn’t recommend it to others.
• 03:36-05:26: We hear personal stories that resonate deeply. These are not isolated experiences—they reflect systemic issues, overwhelming workloads, and a lack of resources where they matter most.
• 05:26-06:12: Chronic stress doesn’t just affect our work; it impacts our health, relationships, and communities. Many of us struggle with anxiety (36.1%) and depression (16.8%), and we see how these challenges ripple outward into our personal lives.
  
  

A Glimmer of Hope: The Strength of Teachers (06:12 - 06:39)

• Despite these struggles, 87.3% of us are open to making changes to improve our well-being. This speaks to the resilience and passion we still carry, even when it feels buried under the weight of these challenges.
  
  

A Personal Connection: Why This Work Matters (06:39 - 08:36)

• Dr. Margeson shares her personal connection to teaching, growing up as the child of a teacher. Her story highlights the cycles of stress we know too well:
  • Pushing through report card season, getting sick on holidays, and the exhaustion of behavior management challenges.
• Together, we reflect on how these patterns affect us, not just as teachers but as whole people. The ultimate goal isn’t perfection—it’s showing up in a way that feels sustainable and fulfilling.
  
  

Introducing the Course: What Makes It Different (08:36 - 10:08)

• This course is designed with us in mind. It’s not about generic advice like “just sleep more” or “just say no.” Instead, we’ll explore practical strategies that fit into the realities of our teaching lives:
  • Managing classroom energy without draining ourselves.
  • Recharging after tough days in ways that set us up for success.
  • Setting priorities we can actually stick to.
  • Finding micro-moments for self-care, even on the busiest days.
• These are tools we can start using right away to create meaningful change.
  
  

Setting Intentions: What Do We Want to Achieve? (10:08 - 11:10)

• As we listen, let’s pause to ask ourselves:
  • Do we want more energy at the end of the day?
  • Do we want to feel less overwhelmed?
  • Do we want boundaries that actually stick?
• Whatever our goals, let’s hold onto them as a guide throughout this course. Together, we have the opportunity to rewrite our story—not just for ourselves, but for our students, schools, families, and communities.
  
  

Key Takeaways

1. We’re not alone. The challenges we face are real, shared, and deeply tied to larger systemic issues.
2. Our work matters. Teaching isn’t just a job; it’s a profession with profound impacts on lives and communities.
3. We deserve better. Chronic stress isn’t sustainable, and we owe it to ourselves to seek change.
4. Small steps make a big difference. This course offers practical, teacher-tested strategies to help us create a life that works for us.