In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I sit down once again with Dr Adam McCartney, Educational Psychologist, to explore the quiet but powerful forces shaping staff wellbeing in schools today. This conversation looks beyond workload and policies, and instead examines what truly drives burnout identity, autonomy, culture, and the systems teachers work within every day.

Adam shares powerful insights from his work across schools and explains why so many teachers are silently struggling, even in environments that appear functional on the surface. Together, we unpack what leaders and teachers can do to shift from surviving to genuinely thriving.

We talk about:

• The silent epidemic of stress in schools and why it often goes unnoticed

• How budget cuts, loss of support staff, and unrealistic expectations are impacting staff wellbeing

• Why a clear vision and shared purpose can transform culture (and what happens when it’s missing)

• The role of communities of practice in strengthening collaboration, trust, and identity

• How teacher identity can become unhealthy and what educators can do to protect their sense of self

• Difficult conversations: why they matter and how schools can approach them safely

• The importance of autonomy and psychologically informed management systems

• A powerful real-life example of a teacher who went from nearly being dismissed to becoming one of the school’s strongest practitioners

• Practical steps for leaders who want to empower staff without burning themselves out

• How schools can create systems that work without relying on one person

• What healthy leadership looks like when it comes to pastoral care, role clarity, and trust

I especially loved the final story. Adam shared a reminder that the right support, structure, and trust can completely change a teacher’s trajectory. These moments show what’s possible when school systems prioritise people over pressure.

Connect with Dr Adam McCartney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradammcartney/

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Linked In:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-adam-mccartney-afbpss-647ab1221/

Podcast: https://www.dradammccartney.com/betweentwopsychs

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