Teacher burnout is at unprecedented levels these days with teachers running to find jobs outside of education. We are near crisis levels of teacher shortages in some states with little to no movement towards finding real solutions. So what gives? I have in the last twenty years worked in two states, three districts and five schools. I have worked for the absolute best principals, in some of the absolute best schools but have not been completely sheltered from truly toxic work places. I have only ever once left a school on purpose and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. While I’ve been lucky to have worked in great schools with supportive principals for the majority of my career, here are some common themes I have found talking with teacher friends across the country over the last couple of years. "Is It Me?" A Teacher’s Guide to Recognizing—and Surviving—a Toxic School Environment I’ll never forget my third year of teaching, sitting in my car before school one morning, gripping the steering wheel so hard my hands hurt. My stomach was in knots, and the idea of walking through the doors felt like dragging myself into battle. I loved my students—but I was starting to hate my job. There were 40 kids in my class that year and some behaviors so extreme, the stories to this day sound unreal. I had very little support and a principal that would respond to my concerns with a classic "Remember your why!!! And... are you sure there isn't just something happening in your personal life?"
This year ended with a kid attempting to poison my entire class- he put silica beads in a candy container and passed it out like candy- thinking it was poison and eating some himself. I had spent a year sounding the alarms about this kid potentially trying to harm kids in an irreversible way and, while my voice was not heard, I was not wrong. Luckily while silica beads come with a "do not eat" warning, they didn't even make anyone sick. This was the first, but not last, time I felt something was off, and in my gut I knew I either needed to change schools or leave the profession completely. While that situation is a bit more extreme, if you have had that gut feeling, the feeling that something needs to change, you’re not alone. Toxic school environments are real. They can chip away at your confidence, steal your joy, and completely drain you. They give you the Sunday Scaries, impact your physical/mental well being, and have you questioning why you became a teacher in the first place. Sometimes, they’re not as obvious as we think. What Does Toxicity Look Like in a School? Not all toxic workplaces are loud or dramatic. In fact, some are masked by “positivity,” charismatic leaders, or “it’s just the job” expectations. "My principal was always smiling and complimenting people in public—but in private, she'd send demeaning emails at 11 p.m., copy district leadership, and question your professionalism if you didn’t respond immediately." — Middle school English teacher A toxic environment doesn't always mean screaming matches or overt hostility. Sometimes, it's subtle:
How Toxicity Shows Up in Your Body and Mind Toxic stress builds slowly, and it’s cumulative. Here’s what many teachers experience: What Are the Symptoms of a Toxic Work Environment? Emotional Symptoms:
"By October, I was crying after school at least three days a week. I stopped lesson planning creatively and just started surviving day by day." — High school science teacher Physically:
— Elementary teacher, 12 years experience A recent trend seems to point to these symptoms being just part of the job. This is what you signed up for right? Wrong. Nothing about any of the above is normal. These symptoms are your body’s warning signals that something is not right. Over time, they can lead to serious burnout, depression, or chronic health conditions. Toxic Can Still Be “Nice” This is the hardest part: many toxic schools have leaders who are well-liked by parents, charismatic with staff, or praised by the district. That doesn’t mean their leadership is healthy. Know that your experience is valid. Signs of covert toxicity: Here's how that might show up:
What If You’re Not Ready to Leave? Leaving isn’t always financially or emotionally possible—at least not yet. If you stay, it’s crucial to protect yourself. If You Choose to Stay: Steps to Protect Your Peace
What If It’s Time to Go? There’s no shame in walking away. In fact, it’s often the bravest thing you can do. Leaving a toxic environment is not quitting—it's reclaiming your peace. Here’s how to exit wisely and ensure your next school is a healthier one:Before You Leave:
You Are Not the Problem You didn’t suddenly become lazy, dramatic, or disorganized. You are not "too sensitive." You’re likely responding normally to an unhealthy system. "I started believing I was bad at my job. Now I know I was in a system that was gaslighting me. I’m thriving again." — Elementary SPED teacher Final Words If you’re in the middle of a toxic situation, I hope you know this: You are still a good teacher. You are still worthy of joy, balance, and respect. Whether you stay or go, choose yourself. Because no school, no admin, no test score is worth your health, your peace, or your identity. "Leaving didn’t mean I failed. Staying would’ve meant I lost myself." — Former teacher, now curriculum coach Recognizing Toxic Traits in School Leadership Strong school leadership fosters trust, growth, and well-being. But when leadership turns toxic—either overtly or subtly—it can poison the entire school culture. Toxic leaders often look competent on the surface, but their actions (or inaction) lead to staff burnout, student safety issues, and low morale. Here are the most common toxic leadership behaviors to watch for: 1. Micromanagement Disguised as Support Toxic leaders often interfere excessively in the day-to-day work of teachers. While they may claim it’s about maintaining consistency or offering help, this behavior reflects a deep lack of trust. Teachers feel scrutinized instead of supported, and innovation is replaced by compliance. 2. Performative Positivity Rather than addressing hard truths—like burnout, staffing shortages, or systemic inequities—these leaders push empty slogans like “Kids first” or “We’re a family.” This performative cheerfulness is used to silence honest feedback and discourage staff from expressing legitimate concerns. 3. Lack of Transparency Toxic leaders withhold information, make decisions behind closed doors, and roll out changes with no explanation. Teachers often learn about major shifts last minute, creating chaos, confusion, and an atmosphere of distrust. 4. Retaliation and Fear-Based Management When a teacher speaks up or questions policy, they may suddenly find themselves under increased scrutiny. Retaliation can be subtle—being removed from leadership roles, receiving sudden poor evaluations—or more direct. This creates a culture of fear where silence feels safer than advocacy. 5. Toxic Comparison and Competition Some leaders divide staff by using data, praise, or privileges to pit teachers against each other. Recognition is rarely tied to effort or impact, and collaboration takes a backseat to status-chasing. This behavior discourages team unity and fosters resentment among colleagues. 6. Dismissal of Emotional and Mental Well-Being Leaders in toxic schools often see emotional needs as personal weaknesses. Teacher exhaustion is brushed off with platitudes, and staff are expected to operate at full capacity regardless of their workload or mental health. This invalidation makes teachers feel unseen and unsupported. 7. Inconsistency and Unpredictability When policies change frequently—or seem to apply differently depending on the person—teachers operate in a state of constant uncertainty. Inconsistent discipline, fluctuating expectations, and unclear communication create an unsafe environment where trust quickly erodes. 8. Favoritism and Unequal Treatment When certain staff receive special treatment, more grace, or disproportionate praise, morale plummets. Uneven enforcement of rules or selective inclusion in decisions signals to the rest of the staff that fairness and professionalism aren’t valued. 9. Avoidance and Nonconfrontation Toxic leaders often avoid hard conversations altogether. Rather than addressing dysfunction or conflict directly, they minimize, delay, or “wait it out,” hoping issues resolve themselves. This creates a workplace where problems fester and resentment builds—especially for staff who value accountability and clarity. 10. Minimizing or Ignoring Student Behavior Issues One of the most harmful traits is when leadership consistently downplays student misconduct. Whether it’s physical aggression, verbal aggression, or repeated defiance, failure to respond seriously puts both teachers and students at risk. When teachers are told to “just build relationships” or blamed for classroom disruptions without support, it sends a clear message: your safety and authority don’t matter. Teacher Checklist: Signs of Toxic Work Environment Use this checklist to evaluate your school work environment. While no work place is perfect, consistent patterns across these areas may signal a toxic environment that impacts your well-being and effectiveness. 🔲 Micromanagement
🔲 Performative Positivity
🔲 Lack of Transparency
🔲 Retaliation or Fear-Based Culture
🔲 Toxic Comparison & Favoritism
🔲 Dismissal of Teacher Well-Being
🔲 Inconsistency & Unpredictability
🔲 Avoidance of Conflict
🔲 Dismissal of Student Behavior Concerns
🔲 Unequal Enforcement of Policies
💡 If you’ve checked off several of these boxes... You may be working under toxic leadership. This does not mean you are the problem. Trust your gut, document interactions, and consider whether staying aligns with your professional and personal well-being. Rising Above a Toxic Work Environment as a Teacher Assuming Best Intent, Building Leadership, and Knowing When to Move On 1. Assume Best Intent — Seek to Understand Before Reacting
2. Focus on Your Circle of Control
3. Build Teacher Leadership from Within
4. Communicate Effectively and Advocate Diplomatically
5. Support Yourself and Your Colleagues
6. Know When It’s Time to Consider Leaving
7. Planning a Graceful Exit
Final Thoughts Rising above a toxic work environment requires courage, empathy, and strategic leadership. By assuming best intent, you give space for collaboration and change. Building teacher leadership from within can create momentum toward a healthier, more supportive culture — but it’s equally important to know your limits and prioritize your well-being when it’s time to move on. You’re not alone in this. 🗣️ Sample Language for Conversations with Administration 1. Bringing Up Concerns Constructively “I wanted to check in about something that’s been on my mind. I’ve noticed that several staff members, including myself, are feeling a bit overwhelmed lately, and I wonder if it’s something we can talk through. I believe in the mission of this school and want to contribute to a positive environment. Is there a time we can meet to brainstorm solutions together?” 2. Requesting Support or a Change “I wanted to share some observations I’ve made about staff morale. I think there’s an opportunity here to improve communication and build a stronger team culture. Would you be open to considering something like a staff listening session or a wellness check-in? I’d be happy to help plan or support something like that.” 3. Giving Feedback with Respect “I know how much you’re balancing, and I appreciate the effort you put in. I also wanted to gently share that some recent changes have been a challenge for staff, and I think it might help to open a dialogue around how we implement new initiatives. I think we all want to do our best work, and communication really helps make that possible.” 📝 Sample Exit Letter / Resignation Email Simple, Professional Resignation Subject: Notice of Resignation Dear [Administrator’s Name], I am writing to formally resign from my position as [Your Role] at [School Name], effective [Last Day, typically two weeks from the date of email unless otherwise stated in contract]. This decision did not come easily, as I care deeply about the students, staff, and mission of our school. However, after much reflection, I believe this is the right time for me to pursue new professional growth opportunities. I am committed to making this transition as smooth as possible. Please let me know how I can help during this time. I’m grateful for the experiences I’ve had here and wish the school continued success. Sincerely, [Your Full Name]
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
Archives
July 2025
"The best teachers are those who show you where to look, but don't tell you what to see." - Alexandra K. Trenfor |