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Sustaining your Leadership Impact: The Burnout Antidote

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Session description

Join this energizing session for educators seeking fresh, practical strategies to prevent burnout and joy! Discover ways to set boundaries, manage stress, and prioritize self-care without guilt. Through interactive discussions, you’ll leave with tools and a personalized plan to lead with balance. Connect with peers and leave recharged!

Outline

5 min Welcome/ Establish the session's purpose. - Activity:
& Hook: - Personal Check-in: Ask for a 1-word temperature check (e.g., "Tired," "Hopeful," "Caffeinated") from the room.

The Myth - The Myth of the Martyr: Challenge the idea that "good educator = tireless martyr." Our sustained impact requires balance. We can't pour from an empty cup. raised hands).

5-10 min The Science of Goal: Validate experiences and provide a simple framework for understanding burnout. - Visual: Stress & - Burnout is Not a Moral Failure: It's a systemic energy depletion. Briefly touch on the 3 core signs (exhaustion, poor decision making, reduced efficiency). 

Sustainable- The Recharge Ratio: Introduce the concept that we need to actively seek ways to refill our energy at a higher rate than we are expending it. showing the Impact- Key Concept: Shift from stress management to Energy management. energy exchange.

15 min Goal: Provide concrete boundary-setting strategies for home and work. - Real-Life
Boundaries - The 3 Must-Have Boundaries: 1. Time Boundaries (The "Start/Stop" rule). 2. Digital Boundaries (The "Notification Triage"). 3. Emotional Boundaries (Differentiating between caring and carrying). Example:
Without - The Guilt-Free Script: Provide and practice a simple script for saying "no" professionally (e.g., "That sounds valuable, but my capacity for this week is maxed out."). 

Interactive: Pair-Share Activity (3 min): "Practice your 'No.'" Participants practice using the script with a partner. (boundary script)

15 min Goal: Shift self-care from a luxury to an essential energy tool. Share Handout
The Self-Care - Self-Care Spectrum: Distinguish between Big breaks (vacations) and Micro breaks (5-minute brain breaks, water breaks, intentional transition time). Focus on Micro breaks. 

"Self-Care Triage - Prioritize with the "3 Non-Negotiables": Have participants commit to 3 small, simple, recurring activities they will not skip this week (e.g., eating healthy, stretching, reading).

Triage: 5-Minute,
- Interactive: Individual Reflection (3 min): Write down your 3 non-negotiables. 15-Minute, &
- Leadership Focus: How to model and mandate Micro breaks for staff (e.g., Meeting-Free time blocks)

45 min: Goal: Reignite internal motivation and shift focus back to "The Why." Encourage participants to intentionally notice and track small wins and positive student interactions. Group Share
with Purpose - Activity: Group Share (4 min): Ask attendees to share the last small thing that brought them genuine joy at work.

- The Reframing Question: When feeling overwhelmed, ask: "What is the one thing I can do right now that will have the biggest, most joyful impact?" (Focus on quality). 

5 min Personalized Goal: Ensure every participant leaves with a concrete, achievable plan. - Action Sheet: Action Plan - The 1-2-3 Commitment: Ask participants to finalize their personal action plan based on the session:

Closing Thought: Remind participants that sustainability is a gift to their students, staff, and community

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Outcomes

Takeaway 1: Understand the early warning signs and symptoms of burnout. Learn how to differentiate between temporary stress and chronic burnout.

Takeaway 2: Gain actionable tips for establishing & maintaining boundaries. Learn how to communicate boundaries effectively to colleagues, staff, and parents.

Takeaway 3: Identify activities and practices that bring joy and fulfillment to your life. Learn how to integrate self-care into your daily routine consistently.

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Supporting research

https://www.smartbrief.com/original/teaching-through-uncertainty-tools-for-staying-grounded

https://www.edutopia.org/article/sustaining-joy-school-leader

https://teachergoals.com/a-leaders-guide-to-setting-boundaries/

https://www.bamradionetwork.com/track/what-great-principals-are-doing-differently-in-2025/

https://redoctorate.wixsite.com/my-site-1?fbclid=PAY2xjawIU4j9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABprBNVtUgt5YZEB_hOm9K1wMI0AHl-kA27gTBO1BRRM_NUWUC84vIi8MJGA_aem_AwbXgryJ43wbFwz-hVNqRQ

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Presenters

Photo
Principal
Howard County Public School System
ASCD Faculty Member

Session specifications

Topic:

Principal Effectiveness

Grade level:

PK-12

Audience:

District-Level Leadership, School Level Leadership, Teacher

Attendee devices:

Devices not needed

Subject area:

Elementary/Multiple Subjects, Teacher Education