The Real Cost of Educator Burnout – and What School Leaders Can Do About It

Burnout isn't a buzzword. It's a leading cause of teacher turnover and a rising threat to public education.

According to a Gallup poll, 44% of K–12 teachers report feeling "always" or "very often" burned out, making them the most burned-out profession in the country. That’s higher than healthcare workers, retail employees, or first responders.

It’s not just a morale problem, it’s a workforce crisis.

💸 The Hidden Cost of Burnout

For district HR leaders, burnout leads to:

• Disrupted learning continuity
• Escalating recruitment and onboarding costs
• Lower staff morale and increased absenteeism

The Learning Policy Institute estimates that replacing a single teacher costs districts over $20,000 – and that’s a conservative figure when you consider lost instructional time, student outcomes, and administrative load.

$ DISCOVER YOUR ROI: Calculate what investing in a student and staff wellness tool could save your district in staff turnover costs based on proven efficacy outcomes and national averages.

In some high-need districts, annual teacher turnover rates exceed 20%, creating a revolving door that’s impossible to sustain.

🛠️ Why Prevention Beats Recovery

By the time a teacher submits their resignation, it’s too late. That’s why a growing number of districts are shifting from reactive strategies to preventive wellness programs that support educators early and often.

Proactive supports reduce burnout and help HR leaders:

• Retain their best educators
• Reduce long-term costs
• Strengthen district culture and reputation
  
  

But where do you start?

✅ New Resource: Educator Burnout Prevention Checklist

We created a 10-point checklist designed specifically for HR directors and district leaders to evaluate their burnout resilience.

👉 Download the Checklist Here

The checklist helps you:

• Assess your district’s current approach to educator wellness
• Identify gaps in Tier 1 staff and student wellness support
• Take the first step toward a healthier, more sustainable workforce

🧭 It’s Time to Treat Staff Wellness Like a Strategic Priority

You already monitor student well-being. It’s time to bring the same energy to educator support.

With burnout rising and budgets tightening, districts need scalable, accessible tools that deliver measurable impact, before staff reaches a breaking point.

“We built Alongside for Educators to give teachers what they give everyone else: support, empathy, and someone who checks in. Because when educators feel seen and supported, they stay.” – Dr. Elsa Friis, Alongside

As featured in CASEL’s guide for Educator SEL, Alongside for Educators provides personalized wellness coaching through AI-assisted chat modules that offer practical strategies for self-care, stress management, relationship building, and professional development. Using AI to provide coaching and support based on educators’ individual experiences, it responds to the real-world challenges faced by educators and guides them through an evidence-based skill building framework.

Ultimately, addressing educator burnout isn’t just a wellness initiative, it’s a strategic investment in the stability, culture, and success of your district. By taking small, proactive steps today, school and district leaders can help build a workforce that feels supported, valued, and equipped to stay in the profession for the long haul. Whether you’re just beginning to explore new solutions or ready to implement a district-wide plan, tools like Alongside make it easier to turn intention into impact.

Next Steps

>> Download the 10-point burnout prevention checklist
>> Try Alongside for Educators and share with your colleagues