A Back-to-School Pep Talk for the Teacher Who Already Feels Exhausted

back to school teacher exhaustion

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If the school year has barely begun and you already feel exhausted, there is nothing wrong with you. In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori offers a reassuring back-to-school pep talk for elementary teachers who feel overwhelmed, depleted, or pressured to have everything figured out from day one.

Show Notes:

In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori reminds you that beginning the school year without a full tank does not mean you are weak, ungrateful, or failing. She shares an honest look at her own experience with exhaustion and explains why meaningful work can still leave you depleted, even when you deeply care about what you do. You’ll learn how to separate what is essential from what is merely impressive, simplify your workload, set small boundaries, and focus on the next manageable step instead of trying to solve the entire school year at once.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why back-to-school teacher exhaustion does not mean you are failing
How to separate what is truly essential from what is simply impressive
Why readiness does not require a perfect classroom or endless energy
Practical ways to simplify your workload and protect your energy
How small, consistent acts of care, clarity, and connection shape a meaningful year

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

You do not need to figure out the entire school year today. You can be tired and still be kind, clear, capable, and deeply effective. Focus on the student in front of you, teach the routine that matters most, and trust that small, consistent actions will build something meaningful over time.

Ready to make classroom management feel more positive and fun? Try Feed the Monster, a free classroom management app that helps you reinforce one specific behavior, strengthen classroom routines, and celebrate your students’ progress together.

Click here to try it now: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/feed-the-monster-opt-in

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Save your seat at the tropical island virtual teacher retreat, where we’ll talk about how to prevent challenging behaviors from derailing your entire day—even if you feel like you’ve already tried everything, you don’t have admin support, and parents don’t seem to care.

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Listen & Subscribe:

Listen to this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk for the reassurance and encouragement you need when the school year has barely begun and you already feel exhausted. Be sure to follow, rate, and subscribe for more practical classroom management strategies, positive behavior support, and encouragement created especially for elementary teachers.

🎧 Listen to the episode and subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk Podcast so you never miss new strategies for classroom management, teacher success, and starting the school year strong.

💛 Lori

Dr. Lori Friesen | Beginning Teacher Mentor

Creator of the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy and The Classroom Management Club, Dr. Lori Friesen has mentored thousands of beginning teachers across the country through her workshops and courses. Host of the popular podcast Beginning Teacher Talk and author of Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do, Dr. Lori is dedicated to serving educators and inspiring learners. Learn more at drlorifriesen.com.

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