Educators dedicate their lives to supporting students, but too often, they neglect their own wellness in the process. The demands of teaching, mentoring, and managing classrooms can take a toll, leading to stress, fatigue, and burnout. As someone who has faced and overcome adversity, Zach Gowen knows the power of resilience, self-care, and mindset shifts in creating a sustainable, fulfilling career. In this blog, Zach shares practical strategies educators can use to prioritize their wellness, prevent burnout, and continue making a lasting impact—without sacrificing themselves in the process.

A Gallup poll shows that K-12 teachers are the #1 most burnt-out profession and 55% of teachers plan to leave the education field sooner than expected. The future of the American education system as we know it is in jeopardy for a number of reasons outside of our control but we’re also failing at what we can control: our health, wellness, and well-being.

1. Develop Healthy Work-Life Balance Boundaries

We can’t lift our students up by breaking ourselves down. Establishing clear boundaries helps preserve our energy and prevent burnout.

Start by giving yourself permission to say no because no is a complete sentence. Choose one or two priorities outside of teaching and let that be enough. Then, set a specific time each day to end your work-related tasks and fully transition into your personal life. Finally, “Do Not Disturb” is there to protect your mornings by avoiding emails or scrolling for the first 30 minutes of your day; instead, ease into your routine with clarity and calm.

2. Activate Your Power

20-30 minutes of simple movement can lift your mood, release tension, and recharge your energy reserves.

What is your move? Pick a physical activity you genuinely enjoy—like walking, dancing, or yoga—and add it to your schedule four times a week. Pair it with joy by combining the movement with a favorite podcast, playlist, or even a workout partner. For a more structured approach, consider trying DDPY Fitness, an at-home program built on the idea that physical and mental wellness go hand in hand. Bonus fun fact: I’m a certified instructor!

3. Recognize the Wins

Practicing daily gratitude helps teachers by shifting their focus from stress to positivity, boosting resilience and emotional well-being.

Begin each morning by jotting down one thing you’re looking forward to. Sharing what you’re looking forward to today helps to set a hopeful tone for the day. Then, create a daily reminder (during lunch or quiet project time) to pause and mentally list three positive moments or small wins. To take it further – Share the Good. Take one of those good things and share with a friend, colleague, or family member—turning gratitude into a quick and uplifting connection.

4. Build Accountability Crew

You are not alone. It takes a village to prevent burnout; we need all the help we can get to keep educators grounded, motivated, and less likely to burn out.

Get the gang together – connect with two or three like-minded teachers to join in a weekly wellness check – share wins and struggles. Set the group goal by choosing one simple self-care habit to tackle together. Level up the accountability crew by helping others is why we’re here. Let’s create a cycle where personal strength becomes a collective uplift! 

Prioritizing wellness isn’t a luxury for educators—it’s a necessity. CoolSpeak wants to help teachers take care of themselves so they have more energy, passion, and resilience to bring to the classroom. 

By integrating Zach Gowen’s small but meaningful self-care strategies, educators can build sustainable habits that prevent burnout and enhance both their well-being and their students’ success. Connect with us to bring in an inspiring workshop on educator wellness and resilience. Let’s equip your team with the mindset and tools they need to thrive.