“Burnout is a documented risk in the music education profession. Recognizing the symptoms and causes of stress is the first step in effectively dealing with it,” says Gary Mortenson. He suggests that educators periodically take a step back and put their jobs into perspective. 

“Although a career in music education can be stressful, it also can be a most rewarding professional life. By becoming aware of stressors and stress managing strategies, you can prevent burnout. Constant self-monitoring and a healthy lifestyle will help the music educator to have a long and successful career,” says Gene Bechen, Professor of Music at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA.

How would you react to the following hypothetical scenarios?

Scenario #1

You are beginning a junior high school position and have been told by your administrator that your predecessor was released because she could not control the class. Rules were not enforced, the program had slipped in quality and numbers, and morale was low. The classroom situation is a mess, files are disorganized, music folders are missing or incomplete, school-owned instruments are neglected, and it’s obvious that you have your work cut out for you. What can you do over the summer before the school year starts to restore discipline, morale, and confidence?

• What can you do about the physical appearance of the music room and equipment?
• Are there any positive aspects in taking over a situation such as this?

Scenario #2

You have been putting in a tremendous amount of time getting organized for the year's activities. The late hours, lack of sleep, and constant worry about deadlines are causing you to be irritable towards your family, friends, and colleagues. The harder you work, the more inefficient you seem to become. You know that these are classic symptoms of burnout, but you have always been able to work your way through the demands of your job.

• What can you do to improve the quality of your life during difficult times such as these?
• What help can you find to make sure you recover from stress before it becomes a threat to your health, your job effectiveness, and your family environment?
   

Share your thoughts about these scenarios on the future teacher forum or e-mail your responses to Shauna Leavitt.

Read the other articles in this series.

What Would You Do? Part 1
What Would You Do? Part 2
What Would You Do? Part 3
What Would You Do? Tips for Field Trips
What Would You Do? Replacing a Popular Teacher

Gary C. Mortenson is professor of trumpet and head of the music department at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. He also serves as publications editor and as a member of the Board of Directors for the International Trumpet Guild.

This article is adapted from “Reality 101,” by Gary C. Mortenson in Music Educators Journal (December 1991): 45-49

Resources:

Burnout and the Beginning Music Educator by Gene Bechen
Advice for New Teachers: Part 1
Advice for New Teachers: Part 2
Da Capo: Starting the First Year: Part 1
Da Capo: Starting the First Year: Part 2

--Shauna Leavitt, November 19, 2009, © MENC: The National Association for Music Education