Dear Teacher: You Can’t Educate on an Empty Tank

You Can’t Educate on an Empty Tank​You can’t give your best to pupils/students if your own tank is empty.​Taking time to rest, reflect, and reset isn’t selfish, it’s essential.​

You’re showing up for your students every single day, planning lessons, managing behaviour, encouraging progress. However, if your energy is running on fumes, it’s only a matter of time before something gives.​

Teaching is emotionally demanding work. Your wellbeing matters not just for you, but for the quality of support you offer.​

Ways to top up your tank:​

• Check in with yourself each day, how are you doing?​

• Say no to extras when your plate is already full.​

• Swap guilt for rest, you’ve earned it.​

• Build in small moments of joy or quiet into your day.​

• Talk to a trusted colleague before things feel too much.

​ Question : What’s one small act of self-care you can build into your school day this week?​

Recommended reading:​ The Teacher's Guide to Self-Care by Sarah Forster – practical, heartfelt advice from someone who’s been there.​

Make your self-care Inevitable!​