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Feeling the Burn?

How to Ignite Your

Passion as an Educator

by Joyce J. Click

Joyce J. Click spent forty-four years teaching choral and A Mayo Clinic report sited six possible causes of burn-
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general music in MSD Washington Township in Indianapo- out:
lis, Indiana, and now serves as an adjunct instructor at the
University of Indianapolis while serving as an educational 1. Lack of control
mentor and clinician. jclick8@gmail.com 2. Unclear expectations
3. Dysfunctional workplace
4. Extremes of activity or chaos
When I recently retired from teaching choir and general 5. Lack of social support
music after forty-four years, I was surprised by the number 6. Work-life balance
of colleagues who questioned my decision because I was still
passionate and enthusiastic. I loved working with students As I reflect on my own career in education, I unknowingly
but explained that at age sixty-six, it seemed a fitting time. combated these issues in several ways.
Other effective co-workers had made the same decision once
they approached a similar milestone. So what are the fac- Lack of Control
tors that contribute to occupational satisfaction? Nationwide, I learned to “work around” the rhetoric and focus on
we are hearing reports of teacher burn-out that contributes what I could control. I identified supplies, instructional ma-
to teacher shortages. Universities have seen a 35 percent de- terials, and field experience opportunities that benefited my
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cline in the number of students majoring in education over students. Writing grants to groups such as Donors Choose,
the past ten years. Outstanding educators are being hired The NEA Foundation, Adopt a Classroom, and local parent
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away by private industry and businesses. Burnout, a condi- and district funding sources helped me provide for students
tion in which an educator has exhausted personal and pro- rather than spending energy being frustrated by a lack of
fessional resources, is being reported by growing number of funds.
professionals in schools. 3

ChorTeach Volume 15 • Issue 2 7 Winter 2023