Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika –
Зарубежная лингвистика и
лингводидактика – Foreign
Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Journal home page:
https://inscience.uz/index.php/foreign-linguistics
Teacher burnout and retention: challenges and strategies
for sustainable education
Dilshoda RAKHMONOVA
1
Uzbekistan State World Languages University
ARTICLE INFO
ABSTRACT
Article history:
Received February 2025
Received in revised form
10
March 2025
Accepted 25 March 2025
Available online
25 April 2025
This article explores the complex relationship between
teacher burnout and retention, highlighting the underlying
causes, adverse effects, and practical solutions to address these
interlinked issues. Drawing from contemporary research, the
discussion emphasizes the significance of mental health,
workload, administrative support, and opportunities for
professional growth in influencing teacher well-being and career
longevity. The article critically reviews the literature on burnout
in the teaching profession and synthesizes retention strategies
adopted in various educational contexts. Furthermore, it
underscores the importance of institutional commitment and
systemic change in mitigating burnout and enhancing retention
rates. The goal is to provide educators, policymakers, and
stakeholders with actionable insights to promote a sustainable
and supportive teaching environment that prioritizes both
teacher and student success.
2181-3701/© 2024 in Science LLC.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47689/2181-3701-vol3-iss4
This is an open-access article under the Attribution 4.0 International
(CC BY 4.0) license (
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.ru
Keywords:
teacher burnout,
teacher retention,
education system,
mental health,
workload,
administrative support,
professional development.
O‘qituvchilarning charchashi va kasbda qolishi: barqaror
ta’lim tizimini yaratish yo‘lidagi qiyinchiliklar va ularni
bartaraf etish usullari
ANNOTATSIYA
Kalit so‘zlar:
o‘qituvchilarning
charchashi, o‘qituvchilarni
saqlab qolish, ta’lim tizimi,
ruhiy salomatlik,
ish yuklama,
ma’muriy yordam,
Ushbu maqola o‘qituvchilarning charchashi va ularni saqlab
qolish o‘rtasidagi murakkab munosabatlarni o‘rganadi, bu
muammolarning asosiy sabablari, salbiy oqibatlari va ularni hal
qilishning
amaliy
yechimlarini
yoritadi.
Zamonaviy
tadqiqotlarga asoslanib, muhokama ruhiy salomatlik, ish
1
Teacher, Department of the English Language Teaching Methodology №2, Uzbekistan State World Languages
University.
Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika – Зарубежная лингвистика
и лингводидактика – Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Special Issue – 4 (2025) / ISSN 2181-3701
130
kasbiy rivojlanish.
yuklamasi, ma’muriy qo‘llab-quvvatlash va kasbiy o‘sish
imkoniyatlarining
o‘qituvchilar
farovonligi
va
kasb
umrboqiyligiga ta’sirini ta’kidlaydi. Maqolada o‘qituvchilik
kasbidagi charchoq haqidagi adabiyotlar tanqidiy ko‘rib chiqiladi
va turli ta’lim muhitlarida qabul qilingan kadrlarni saqlab qolish
strategiyalari umumlashtiriladi. Bundan tashqari, u charchashni
kamaytirish va o‘qituvchilarni saqlab qolish darajasini
oshirishda muassasaviy majburiyat va tizimli o‘zgarishlarning
muhimligini ta’kidlaydi. Maqsad o‘qituvchilar, siyosatchilar va
manfaatdor tomonlarga ham o‘qituvchi, ham o‘quvchi
muvaffaqiyatiga ustuvor ahamiyat beradigan barqaror va
qo‘llab-quvvatlovchi ta’lim muhitini yaratish uchun amaliy
tushunchalarni taqdim etishdir.
Профессиональное выгорание и удержание педагогов:
проблемы и стратегии для устойчивого развития
образования
АННОТАЦИЯ
Ключевые слова:
профессиональное
выгорание педагогов,
сохранение
педагогических кадров,
система образования,
психологическое здоровье,
рабочая нагрузка,
административная
поддержка,
профессиональное
развитие.
В данной статье исследуется сложная взаимосвязь между
профессиональным выгоранием учителей и их удержанием на
рабочем месте, выделяются основные причины, негативные
последствия и практические решения этих взаимосвязанных
проблем.
Опираясь
на
современные
исследования,
обсуждение
подчеркивает
значимость
психического
здоровья, рабочей нагрузки, административной поддержки и
возможностей профессионального роста в контексте влияния
на благополучие учителей и продолжительность их карьеры.
В статье критически анализируется литература по
выгоранию в педагогической профессии и обобщаются
стратегии удержания кадров, применяемые в различных
образовательных контекстах. Кроме того, подчеркивается
важность институциональной приверженности и системных
изменений в снижении выгорания и повышении показателей
удержания педагогов. Цель статьи - предоставить педагогам,
политикам и заинтересованным сторонам практические
рекомендации для создания устойчивой и поддерживающей
образовательной среды, которая ставит в приоритет успех как
учителей, так и учащихся.
INTRODUCTION
Teacher burnout has emerged as a pervasive and pressing issue within the global
education landscape. Burnout significantly affects teacher effectiveness, job satisfaction,
and overall well-being, defined as a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion
caused by prolonged stress and frustration (Maslach & Leiter, 2016). Coupled with
burnout, the challenge of retaining qualified teachers, particularly in high-needs areas such
as special education and low-income communities, poses a serious threat to educational
quality and equity. As schools grapple with increasing demands, budget constraints, and
Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika – Зарубежная лингвистика
и лингводидактика – Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Special Issue – 4 (2025) / ISSN 2181-3701
131
societal expectations, the sustainability of the teaching profession is at risk. Understanding
the multifaceted nature of burnout and exploring effective retention strategies is vital to
maintaining a stable, motivated, and well-supported teaching workforce. This article
delves into the causes, consequences, and coping mechanisms associated with teacher
burnout while examining evidence-based approaches to improve teacher retention and
foster a healthier, more resilient educational environment.
Teacher burnout and retention: challenges and strategies for sustainable
education
Burnout in the teaching profession is not a new phenomenon, but its prevalence has
intensified in recent decades. According to the American Federation of Teachers (2017),
over 60% of educators report high levels of job-related stress, a figure that surpasses that
of most other professions. Burnout manifests through symptoms such as chronic fatigue,
depersonalization, reduced personal accomplishment, and a sense of helplessness
(Maslach & Leiter, 2016). The implications of teacher burnout extend beyond individual
well-being to impact classroom effectiveness, student outcomes, and institutional stability.
CAUSES OF TEACHER BURNOUT
Several factors contribute to the onset and persistence of teacher burnout. High
workload and unrealistic expectations are primary contributors. Teachers often juggle
multiple responsibilities, including lesson planning, grading, administrative tasks,
extracurricular involvement, and responding to parental concerns (Farber, 2000). The
pressure to meet standardized testing benchmarks exacerbates stress levels and
diminishes autonomy in instructional practices (Skaalvik & Skaalvik, 2017).
Lack of administrative support is another significant driver of burnout. Educators
who perceive their school leadership as unsupportive or indifferent are more likely to
experience job dissatisfaction and emotional exhaustion (Ingersoll & Strong, 2011).
Inadequate resources, large class sizes, and insufficient time for collaboration or planning
further exacerbate stress levels. Additionally, societal undervaluing of the teaching
profession and inadequate compensation contribute to feelings of disillusionment and
frustration.
Emotional labor—the effort required to manage one’s emotions while supporting
students emotionally and academically—also plays a role in burnout. Teachers frequently
serve as counselors, mentors, and mediators, often without formal training or institutional
backing. This emotional toll can lead to compassion fatigue and mental exhaustion,
especially in schools with high rates of trauma and socio-economic disadvantage (Chang,
2009).
CONSEQUENCES OF BURNOUT
The consequences of burnout are far-reaching and multifaceted. On an individual
level, burnout undermines mental and physical health, leading to symptoms such as
anxiety, depression, insomnia, and weakened immune function (Jennings & Greenberg,
2009). These health issues often result in increased absenteeism, reduced job satisfaction,
and a higher likelihood of exiting the profession prematurely.
At the institutional level, teacher burnout compromises instructional quality and
student achievement. Burnt-out teachers may struggle to maintain classroom discipline,
adapt to diverse learning needs, or engage students effectively. According to Ronfeldt et al.
(2013), high teacher turnover—often linked to burnout—disrupts school continuity and
negatively affects student learning outcomes, particularly in under-resourced schools.
Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika – Зарубежная лингвистика
и лингводидактика – Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Special Issue – 4 (2025) / ISSN 2181-3701
132
Furthermore, burnout contributes to a negative school climate, affecting not only
teachers but also students, parents, and administrators. A pervasive sense of stress and
dissatisfaction can diminish collaboration, reduce innovation, and undermine school
morale.
Strategies for preventing and addressing burnout
Combating teacher burnout requires a multifaceted and systemic approach. One of
the most effective strategies is enhancing administrative support. School leaders who
provide emotional, instructional, and logistical support foster a culture of trust and
collaboration. Open communication, recognition of teacher achievements, and shared
decision-making can significantly boost morale and resilience (Borman & Dowling, 2008).
Reducing workload and improving time management are also critical. Schools can
streamline administrative duties, provide planning time during work hours, and reduce
class sizes where possible. Implementing teacher aides and collaborative teaching models
can alleviate individual burdens and promote peer support (McCarthy et al., 2016).
Professional development focused on stress management, resilience, and self-care
is another vital tool. Mindfulness training, peer mentoring, and access to mental health
resources can empower teachers to manage stress proactively. Programs such as Social
and Emotional Learning (SEL) initiatives have demonstrated positive effects on teacher
well-being and classroom dynamics (Jennings et al., 2011).
RETENTION STRATEGIES
Retention strategies must address both the extrinsic and intrinsic motivators that
influence teachers’ decisions to remain in the profession. Competitive salaries, benefits,
and clear career advancement pathways are essential to attracting and retaining qualified
educators (Sutcher, Darling-Hammond & Carver-Thomas, 2016).
Mentorship and induction programs play a pivotal role in supporting early-career
teachers. Novices who receive structured mentorship are more likely to develop
confidence, competence, and a sense of belonging (Ingersoll & Strong, 2011). Pairing new
teachers with experienced mentors can foster professional growth and reduce feelings of
isolation.
Creating a positive school culture is equally important. Schools that emphasize
collaboration, inclusivity, and shared values create environments where teachers feel
valued and empowered. Encouraging teacher leadership and innovation can further
increase job satisfaction and commitment.
Policy-level interventions are also necessary. Governments and educational
authorities should invest in long-term solutions, including funding for teacher training,
mental health services, and infrastructure improvements. Policies that reduce high-stakes
testing pressure and allow for curriculum flexibility can enhance teacher autonomy and
creativity (Darling-Hammond, 2010).
CONCLUSION
Teacher burnout and retention are interdependent challenges that demand
comprehensive and sustainable solutions. Burnout undermines teacher effectiveness,
student outcomes, and institutional health, while poor retention exacerbates staffing
shortages and disrupts educational continuity. Addressing these issues requires a
concerted effort from school leaders, policymakers, and communities to create supportive,
rewarding, and resilient teaching environments. Through a combination of administrative
support, workload management, professional development, and systemic policy reform, it
Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika – Зарубежная лингвистика
и лингводидактика – Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Special Issue – 4 (2025) / ISSN 2181-3701
133
is possible to mitigate burnout and foster long-term teacher retention. By valuing teachers
as essential contributors to society, we can build an educational system that not only
survives but thrives.
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