Few words are spoken as often, but so consistently misunderstood, as burnout. We fear it. We try to hold it at bay. We generally know when we’re feeling it. But do we really know what it is?

According to 2022 research from Gallup, 44% of teachers report “always” or “very often” feeling burned out at work. That’s deeply worrisome for those individuals—and for the teaching profession as a whole. If we’re going to do something about it, we need to understand it first.

In the latest Trending in Education episode, Mike Palmer sits down with Vital Network founder Nate Eklund to slash through the “hang in there” pep talks and expose what’s really chewing up educators: pointless meetings, top-down decision-making, and job designs that treat teachers like martyrs. They share how schools in North Dakota are already flipping the script—streamlining meetings, shifting power to the people doing the work, and measuring true well-being, not just test scores.

We’re quite remarkable in what we do everyday for every student. 

What would school look like if we applied those same approaches and care to the adults working in schools?

The United States is facing a massive educator shortage, and it's impacting our classrooms, communities, and students. As the 2023-24 school year began, nearly half of public schools reported struggles in filling open teaching positions. The numbers were stark: in just one year, vacancies jumped from 36,000 in 2022 to 55,000 in 2023, and the percentage of classrooms filled by underqualified teachers continued to grow.

So, what’s driving this trend? And more importantly, how can we reverse it?

Hope. Vitality. What do these words bring to mind in the context of education? For most of us, they conjure images of students thriving, reaching their full potential, and becoming their best selves. But what about the educators themselves? In a profession known for high turnover rates and low job satisfaction, an infusion of hope and vitality is exactly what’s needed to keep teachers teaching—and, in turn, students learning.

Educator burnout has reached a critical point, with K-12 workers experiencing the highest burnout rates of any industry in the U.S. Over half of teachers are considering leaving the profession early, creating an urgent crisis that demands more than temporary fixes. We need solutions that address the root causes of burnout, transforming teaching from a draining endeavor into a sustainable, fulfilling career. But what exactly is burnout, and why does it matter? Most importantly, what can be done to address it?

In this EdTalk video, Vital Network founder Nate Eklund dives into the heart of what makes a workplace truly fulfilling. Drawing on his years of experience in education and workplace consulting, Nate explores why it’s so important to love what you do and how transformative leadership can create a vibrant, engaging culture for everyone.