Teaching has always been demanding work, but right now? It feels especially heavy. Between policy uncertainty, increased expectations, and the weight of supporting students through their own challenges, educators are running on empty. And yet, there's often an unspoken expectation that teachers should just keep going—that taking care of yourself somehow means you care less about your students.

In this episode, right before the holiday break, we sit down with Sam Levine, one of the founding leaders of Breathe for Change, to talk about why self-care isn't selfish—it's essential. Sam helps us understand the difference between performative wellness and the deep, sustainable practices that actually help educators show up as their best selves for students. We explore what it really means to take care of yourself when times are tough, why the system often makes self-care feel impossible, and how building these practices isn't just about individual survival—it's about collective resilience.

This conversation is a reminder that you can't pour from an empty cup, and that taking care of yourself is actually one of the most important things you can do for your students.

Take a breath. You've earned it.

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All4Ed is a national nonprofit advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C. We are committed to expanding equitable educational opportunities for students of color, students from low-income families, and other marginalized groups. We advance transformation from the classroom to Congress by advocating for federal, state, and local policies and practices that ensure all students graduate high school prepared for college, work, and life.