In this honest and deeply reassuring episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by Greg Bookman, an education recruiter with over 20 years’ experience and a rare, people-first approach to leadership recruitment and retention.

Rather than focusing on roles, hierarchies or career ladders, this conversation centres on well-being, identity and humanity in education. Greg shares what he sees behind the scenes when leaders and teachers reach breaking point and why so many capable, committed people are quietly considering leaving the profession altogether.

We talk about burnout not as a weakness, but as a signal, one that often appears when people have lost sight of who they are, what they value and where they truly belong. Greg brings a compassionate and hopeful perspective, reminding us that education is not broken everywhere and that there are schools and trusts where people can thrive without sacrificing their health.

This episode speaks directly to leaders and educators who feel exhausted, disillusioned or stuck, especially those questioning whether they can keep going, but still care deeply about the work they do.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why treating educators as people, not job titles, is key to retention
• How post-COVID shifts have changed what leaders need from work
• What burnout really does to confidence, identity and self-belief
• What to say to yourself when you’re on survival mode and ready to quit
• How school culture and values impact well-being more than workload alone
• Why appreciation and shared effort matter more than money
• The fear and grief that often sit underneath thoughts of leaving education
• How reconnecting with your “why” can restore clarity and confidence
• Why reflection and self-awareness are protections against burnout
• The danger of suppressing your values in order to fit a role
• How finding the right school can change everything without leaving education
• Why staying silent and doing nothing is often the most damaging choice

Key Message

You are not broken.

Burnout is not the end.

And leaving education is not the only option.

Many educators burn out not because they don’t care enough, but because they care too much in environments that no longer allow them to be themselves. Confidence can be rebuilt. Purpose can be rediscovered. And with the right support, reflection and relationships, it is possible to find a role and a culture where you can thrive again.

This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the pressure. To seek connection rather than isolation. And to believe that staying in education well is possible.

Connect with Greg Bookman

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/greg-bookman

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