JumpStart Information Overload Day (10/20/25)

QUOTE:  "If you are offended by my boundaries, then you are probably one of the reasons I need them." (Steve Maraboli)

Healthy Boundaries: Strengthening Educator Well-Being

As educators, we often face unique pressures that test not only our professional skills but also our inner resources. Nedra Glover Tawwab, therapist and author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace and Drama Free, reminds us that boundaries are not barriers—they’re bridges to healthier relationships, emotional clarity, and sustainable work-life balance. Her research and clinical work emphasize that healthy boundaries are essential, not optional, for educators who want to thrive instead of simply survive the school year.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Tawwab notes that when our boundaries are weak or unclear, our well-being begins to fray. Educators can often sense this long before burnout hits. Warning signs include:

• A growing sense of exhaustion or overwhelm that feels harder to shake.
• Saying “yes” when you want to say “no,” leading to resentment or guilt.
• Emotional withdrawal or irritability as a way to protect your energy.
• Difficulty sustaining joy, curiosity, or compassion in daily interactions.

If these sound familiar, your internal alarm is telling you it’s time to strengthen your boundaries. Boundaries, Tawwab reminds us, are not punishments or walls—they are statements of what is and isn’t acceptable in how others treat you and how you treat yourself.

A Strategy for Today

Brené Brown recommends actionable steps that educators can begin practicing immediately. One effective strategy is this:

Step 1: Pause and identify the specific moment or trigger where stress or difficulty arises. 
Step 2: Name the thought or emotion you are experiencing without judgment. 
Step 3: Reframe or regulate the moment using a proven tool—for example, deep breathing for calm, setting a boundary with kindness, or challenging a negative belief. 
Step 4: Anchor the experience by noticing any shift in energy, relief, or clarity. 
Step 5: Commit to repeating this practice daily for small, sustainable change.

Why This Matters

Prioritizing healthy boundaries is not just about avoiding burnout; it’s about building a foundation where educators can thrive. When teachers and administrators strengthen this capacity, they model resilience and authenticity for their students, creating classrooms and schools that are healthier and more supportive for everyone.

DAD JOKE:  I ordered 2,000 pounds of Chinese soup.  It was wonton.