Episode Summary

In this episode, I explore why protecting your energy may be one of the most important leadership habits teachers can develop. Educators are trained to give — instruction, attention, emotional support, time. But rarely are we trained to protect our focus, our emotional bandwidth, and our long-term sustainability.

Teaching is human work, and human work costs something. Emotional labor is real. If we ignore that reality, we become confused about why we feel drained. Protecting energy begins with acknowledging the invisible load teachers carry every day.

I unpack practical ways to preserve energy, including mental exit rituals, preventative boundaries, and small daily microchoices that prevent unnecessary emotional escalation. Energy is not protected in dramatic gestures but in consistent, intentional decisions.

Ultimately, protecting your energy is not selfish. It preserves patience. It strengthens relationships. And it makes longevity possible. Students do not need a burned-out version of you. They need a steady one.

Show Notes

1. Teaching as emotional labor
2. The after-school mental fog experience
3. Creating mental exit rituals
4. Boundaries as preventative filters
5. Caring versus carrying
6. Microchoices that preserve emotional fuel
7. Rhythm and longevity in teaching

Key Takeaways

1. Emotional labor is real and costs energy
2. Boundaries prevent depletion, not just burnout
3. Microchoices compound into sustainability
4. Resetting restores joy and patience
5. Protecting energy supports long-term leadership