In this episode of Cool People Doing Cool Things, Sarah sits down with educator, wellness advocate, and founder of Happy While Teaching, Stephanie Belleville, for an honest conversation about teacher burnout, self-care, purpose, and what it really means to stay connected to yourself while serving others.

Stephanie shares her journey from social work into education, what inspired her to create the Happy While Teaching movement, and the powerful wake-up call that changed the way she approached wellness forever. Together, Sarah and Stephanie explore the hidden emotional weight teachers carry, how the education system has changed post-COVID, and why self-care is not selfish — it’s essential.

In this episode, Sarah and Stephanie discuss:

• The reality of teacher burnout and why it has reached epidemic levels
• How COVID changed classrooms, student behavior, and educator stress
• Why caring professionals are especially vulnerable to burnout
• The connection between teacher wellness and student success
• The importance of reflection, awareness, and intentional self-care
• Moving from “reacting” to “creating” in your life
• Why self-care is a necessity, not a luxury
• Small daily wellness rituals that make a massive impact
• Perfectionism, pressure, and redefining what “good enough” looks like
• How yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and boundaries support emotional resilience
• Building a healthier future for education from the inside out

Stephanie also shares details about:

• The Happy While Teaching Podcast
• Her Happy While Teaching Workbook
• Her upcoming teacher wellness courses and support community launching Fall 2026

Connect with Stephanie Belleville:

Instagram: instagram.com/happywhileteachingWebsite: happywhileteaching.comThe Happy While Teaching Podcast: open.spotify.com/show/3BnXVh0SpDgrQWjBaobh0C

If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Because taking care of yourself doesn’t just change your life — it changes every life you touch.