From Burnout to Balance: Managing Your Well-Being as an Online Teacher
The Virtual Vibe: Success and Sanity for the Online Teacher
MAY 26, 2025
When your life starts feeling like one never-ending Zoom call with 42 open browser tabs and no mute button in sight, it might be time to hit pause. Between lesson planning, grading, staying connected with students, and meeting the expectations of your district or institution, it’s easy to experience burnout.
Symptoms of burnout include: poor sleep (or no sleep), constant frustration, snapping at innocent emails, typing with your middle fingers only, ignoring communication like it's spam, developing an irrational resentment toward your laptop, and losing your temper at home in response to things that would not have bothered you before. If you’ve experienced any of these, congratulations, you’re human.
The key to long-term success as an online educator lies in managing your well-being. Here are some strategies to help you maintain balance and avoid the dreaded burnout.
Step 1: Create "Tech-Free" Zones in Your Day
The screen is your best friend, but also your worst enemy. Designate certain hours of your day as "tech-free" zones. Whether it’s taking a walk, reading a book, sneaking in a 20-minute power nap, eating an actual meal, or spending time with family (you remember those people, right?). Incorporating screen-free time into your day lets your mind rest and recharge. Creating—and actually sticking to—a daily schedule can help make tech-free time a regular part of your routine, instead of something you only stumble upon when the Wi-Fi glitches.
I can’t stress enough how crucial it is to intentionally prioritize your day, and that includes carving out space for the things you loved doing before diving into the online teaching tornado. I’ll never forget the night my five-year-old looked up from our kitchen table and asked if I was going to join him and his dad for dinner—after missing family time multiple nights that week. That simple question hit like a ton of bricks. It was a wake-up call, reminding me that carving out tech-free time isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential for both personal well-being and long-term success in the virtual classroom.
Step 2: Set Realistic Boundaries
In the online teaching world, it's dangerously easy to feel like you should be “on” 24/7, but that’s a one-way express train to Burnoutville (population: way too many teachers). Set communication expectations from the very beginning and stick to them. Be clear about your office hours, response times, and when you officially log off and step away for the day. Clear boundaries help your students and families know what to expect, and more importantly, they give you space to breathe, recharge, and maybe even finish a full sentence without being interrupted by a ding, ping, or pop-up.
Step 3: Batch Your Tasks Like a Pro
Multitasking might seem like the way to get everything done, but often it’s a productivity killer. Block off time in your day for things like providing student feedback, lesson planning, answering emails, or wrestling with virtual paperwork. Hopping between tasks like a caffeinated squirrel only adds stress. Try to stick to your daily schedule, focus on one thing at a time, and always give yourself grace on the difficult days. You’re doing a lot, don’t forget that!
Step 4: Use an Accountability Partner
Find a colleague or friend to hold you accountable for maintaining your well-being. Check in with each other regularly to make sure you’re taking time for self-care, setting boundaries, and keeping up with work-life balance. This lifeline can help you stay grounded when things get hectic. And yes, sending humorous (or even slightly inappropriate) memes to each other throughout the day is not only acceptable, it's highly encouraged.
In the world of online teaching, you’re expected to be present and engaged, but that’s impossible if you’re running on empty. By incorporating these strategies into your daily routine, you’ll foster a healthier work-life balance, allowing you to continue teaching with passion and energy and keep money in your pocket instead of donating it to the swearword jar on your desk.
Pause, Ponder & Progress
What specific tech-free activities can I incorporate into my daily routine to help me disconnect from screens and recharge?
How can I set clear boundaries with my students to ensure I have time for personal well-being?
In what ways can I batch my tasks to make my workday more efficient and less overwhelming?
Who can I reach out to as an accountability partner to help me prioritize my well-being throughout the school year?
About the Author
With over 20 years in education - most of them spent in the virtual trenches - Desire’ Mosser has done more than survive online teaching; she’s helped others thrive in it! As the author of SOS: Strategies for Online Survival, she dishes out practical tools, honest lessons, and just the right amount of humor to keep educators going.
Former Pasco eSchool Teacher of the Year and Florida Virtual Schools Mentor of the Year, she continues to champion excellence in virtual learning today. She currently serves as Vice President of B.O.L.D. (Blended Online Learning Discovery of Florida). Her passion? Coaching educators to find their stride, build meaningful connections with students and families, and master the art of scheduling for sanity—preferably with a strong cup of coffee in hand. For more real talk, useful tips, and the occasional caffeine-fueled confession, connect with her on LinkedIn.
