The Top 10 Reasons Educators Are Leaving Teaching—And How We’re Helping with Mental Wellbeing
In recent years, the teaching profession has faced an alarming trend: educators are leaving the classroom in record numbers. For some, the decision is heartbreaking, but it often stems from an overwhelming set of challenges that make teaching feel unsustainable. Let’s explore the top 10 reasons behind this exodus—and how our award-winning teacher planners are empowering educators to prioritise their mental wellbeing.
1. Burnout from Overwhelming Workloads
Between lesson planning, grading, meetings, and extracurricular duties, the average teacher works far beyond a 40-hour week. The lack of downtime can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion.
How We Help: Our planners include streamlined templates that simplify lesson planning, marking schedules, and task management, giving teachers more control over their time.
2. Lack of Support for Mental Health
Educators are often expected to show up for their students every day, regardless of their personal struggles. Mental health resources for teachers are scarce, making it difficult for them to recharge.
How We Help: Every planner includes built-in self-care prompts, reflection spaces, and tips to encourage mental health practices.
3. Low Pay and Lack of Resources
Despite their essential role, teachers frequently report feeling undervalued, with pay that doesn’t reflect their efforts and insufficient funding for classroom materials.
How We Help: Our planners are affordable without compromising quality, ensuring that every teacher can access tools to make their job easier—without breaking the bank.
4. Unmanageable Class Sizes
Large class sizes make it harder for teachers to meet individual student needs, which can lead to frustration and a sense of failure.
How We Help: Our planners include class organisation features that simplify tracking student progress, behaviour, and accommodations, helping teachers stay on top of everything despite the chaos.
5. Testing Overload and Pressure to Perform
The emphasis on standardised testing places enormous pressure on educators to produce results, often at the expense of creativity and authentic learning.
How We Help: Our planners provide space for creative lesson brainstorming and tracking goals beyond test scores, reminding educators of the joy in teaching.
6. Limited Professional Growth Opportunities
Many teachers feel stuck in their roles without clear pathways for advancement, leaving them unmotivated to continue.
How We Help: Reflection pages in our planners encourage teachers to set professional goals and celebrate milestones, fostering a sense of progress and purpose.
7. Student Behaviour Challenges
Managing difficult student behaviour without adequate training or support adds significant stress to a teacher’s day.
How We Help: Our planners feature behaviour management logs and spaces for collaboration notes with colleagues, helping educators develop effective strategies.
8. Lack of Autonomy in the Classroom
Strict curriculums and micromanagement can leave teachers feeling stifled and uncreative.
How We Help: We designed our planners with flexibility in mind, allowing teachers to adapt pages to fit their teaching style and regain a sense of autonomy.
9. Societal Pressure and Criticism
Teachers are often subjected to criticism from parents, administrators, and even the public, making an already challenging job feel thankless.
How We Help: Gratitude journaling pages in our planners encourage teachers to reflect on positive moments and interactions, helping them focus on the meaningful impact they’re making.
10. Lack of Work-Life Balance
The “always-on” nature of teaching often leaves educators with little time for family, hobbies, or rest.
How We Help: Our planners are more than tools for work—they’re a lifeline for balance. With scheduling templates for personal and professional life, teachers can carve out time for what truly matters.
Reimagining Teaching with Our Planners
We created our planners with a mission: to help educators reclaim their joy in teaching and protect their mental wellbeing. Thousands of teachers and teaching assistants have already embraced our designs, and their feedback inspires us to keep innovating.
As you prepare for another school year, remember that you don’t have to do it all alone. Whether you’re struggling with organisation, self-care, or time management, our planners are here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can make teaching sustainable again.
Ready to take the first step? Explore our full collection of planners designed to help teachers thrive—not just survive.
Let’s change the narrative. You deserve it.