From Burnout to Breakthrough: A Human-Centered Blueprint to Support and Sustain Today’s Educators

In a profession built on purpose, how is it that the very people we trust to lead and teach—teachers, principals, superintendents—are burning out faster than any workforce in the nation?

According to Gallup, K–12 educators are the most burned-out professionals in America. Nearly half report feeling “always” or “very often” burned out. But burnout isn’t the root problem—it’s the byproduct of a deep...

In districts across the country, professional development season is in full swing. Schedules are filling with sessions on instructional frameworks, classroom management, and data-driven strategies. But one critical issue continues to be overlooked—one that quietly undermines all the others:

Educators are exhausted. And pedagogy won’t fix burnout.

We don’t have a professional development problem.
We have a human sustainability problem.

The assumption that more training will automatically lead t...

By Lisa Imel

Founder & CEO, EdSolutions Group
Author of Unleash Your Potential

Most people don’t call it burnout. Not at first.

They just start dreading Sundays.

Not the kind of dread that announces itself loudly—but the kind that simmers. That cancels plans. That creeps in the moment you wake up Sunday morning. By midday, unease builds. By evening, your chest tightens and your mind races. You’re physically tired, but mentally on alert. You’re reliving last week—and already bracing for the ne...

Rebuilding Confidence, Connection and Culture Through Systemic Family Engagement

By Lisa Imel | Founder & CEO, EdSolutions Group

In a climate where public trust in education is unraveling, student attendance is plummeting, and teacher burnout has become the norm, one solution remains consistently underleveraged: family engagement.
Not as a gesture.
As a strategy.

For decades, we’ve acknowledged that family engagement matters. We've known that students thrive when families and schools are aligne...

 When Helping Hurts: The Hidden Cost of ACEs in the Lives of Educators

How unaddressed trauma, compassion fatigue, and systemic absence are fueling burnout in helping professionals—and what must change.

Lisa Imel, M.Ed., Founder & CEO, EdSolutions Group

Reframing the ACEs Narrative

In the evolving discourse around trauma-informed education, the prevailing emphasis has been on understanding the adverse experiences of students. Educators are trained to identify dysregulated behavior, create ...

Reframing the Burnout Conversation in Education

The modern educational landscape is increasingly defined by pressure, accountability, and the evolving needs of educators and students alike. In this high-stakes environment, burnout is not just a personal challenge—it is a system-wide issue with profound implications for teacher retention, student success, and institutional stability. According to the 2022 Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report, 44% of K-12 educators report experiencing high...

It's not uncommon to encounter moments when the smallest of challenges feel utterly overwhelming. From a missed deadline to a minor disagreement with a colleague, these seemingly insignificant stressors can snowball into something much larger, particularly for individuals grappling with burnout and chronic stress.

As an expert in burnout and chronic stress management, my work involves understanding the intricate relationship between everyday stressors and their impact on educator well-being. Re...

National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month serves as a critical reminder of the holistic needs of students and educators alike. Amidst the priorities of academic rigor and administrative responsibilities, wellness and well-being can often take a backseat. Yet, research consistently underscores the profound impact of prioritizing well-being on both personal and professional fronts. For instance, a study conducted by the American Psychological Association found that educators who prioritize...

Schools and Districts have many federal and state grant funding opportunities and although increased funding has positive impacts on student learning outcomes, school culture, and family and community engagement, spending awarded funds in allowable, effective, and sustainable ways can be challenging. 

Every grant and funding source has its own qualifying activities for allowable uses, planning documents, requirements for reporting, and budget management. As a school administrator or district le...