Teaching can be one of the most rewarding careers, but it can also be one of the most exhausting. If you're a high school teacher, chances are you've felt the weight of burnout at some point—whether it's from managing difficult classrooms, keeping up with paperwork, or trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

But how do you really know if you’re burned out or just stressed? That’s where the Teacher Burnout Inventory comes in.

What Is the Teacher Burnout Inventory?

The Teacher Burnout Inventory is a quick, 10-question assessment designed specifically for teachers. It’s meant to give you clarity on just how burned out you are—and what areas of your teaching life are contributing most to that feeling. Whether you’re struggling with emotional exhaustion, classroom management stress, or work-life balance, this tool helps you break it down so you can take action.

Why Should You Take the Teacher Burnout Inventory?

If you’ve been asking yourself questions like why do I feel so exhausted even after a full night’s sleep? Is it normal to feel like I’m constantly battling with my students? Am I still passionate about teaching?

Then it’s time to stop guessing and start measuring. The Teacher Burnout Inventory gives you concrete answers, helping you figure out how close you are to the edge of burnout—and what you can do to turn things around.

How It Was Designed: A Reliable, Valid Tool

You might be wondering, how accurate is this test?

The Teacher Burnout Inventory was carefully designed based on the Beck Depression Inventory, a trusted tool in psychology for decades. This means it’s structured to provide a valid and reliable measure of burnout specific to teaching. With sections covering emotional exhaustion, classroom management stress, personal accomplishment, work-life balance, and support systems, the inventory takes a comprehensive look at all the factors contributing to teacher burnout.

The 5 Dimensions of Teacher Burnout: What Are They?

The Teacher Burnout Inventory covers five key areas that can tell you a lot about where your stress is coming from:

Emotional Exhaustion: Do you feel completely drained, physically and emotionally, from teaching? This section helps you measure just how much exhaustion is affecting your overall well-being.

Classroom Management Stress: One of the biggest contributors to burnout for high school teachers. If you’re constantly struggling with disruptive behavior or feeling like you can’t control your classroom, this section will show you how much it’s impacting your burnout levels.

Personal Accomplishment: How fulfilled do you feel in your teaching role? If you're feeling ineffective or like you’re not making a difference, that can fuel burnout. This part helps you see where your sense of accomplishment stands.

Work-Life Balance: Teaching is notorious for bleeding into personal time. How well are you balancing the demands of your job with the rest of your life?

Support Systems: Do you feel supported by your administration, colleagues, or even your personal network? This dimension measures the strength (or lack) of the support systems around you.

How to Use the Teacher Burnout Inventory

Taking the Teacher Burnout Inventory only takes a few minutes—just 10 quick questions to help you pinpoint your burnout level. But the real value comes from using it as a tool to check in with yourself regularly. Think of it like a stress gauge you can return to every few months to see if things are getting better or worse.

If your burnout levels are creeping higher, it’s time to act before things spiral out of control. Burnout is sneaky—it builds up over time, and suddenly, you’re browsing LinkedIn looking for a new career before you even know it. The key is catching it early and making adjustments before it gets to that point.

What to Do After You Get Your Score

Once you’ve taken the inventory, you’ll get a score that falls into one of four categories: low, moderate, high, or severe burnout. Here’s what each category might mean for you:

Low Burnout: You’re in good shape! But keep an eye on your stress levels and check in regularly to stay ahead of potential burnout.

Moderate Burnout: This is the yellow light—things aren’t too bad yet, but they could get worse if you don’t take action. Try implementing small changes like setting stricter boundaries or seeking support from a mentor or colleague.

High Burnout: Red alert! You’re on the edge, and now is the time to take action. Look for ways to reduce stress, get help with classroom management, or even seek professional coaching.

Severe Burnout: It’s time to seek support immediately. Whether it’s through counseling, professional development, or making a significant change in how you approach teaching, don’t wait until you’re completely drained.

Brave Enough to Share Your Score? Let’s Talk About It!

If you're feeling brave, drop a comment with your burnout score. Let’s open up the conversation and support each other—teaching doesn't have to feel like an uphill battle every day. Sometimes just talking about it with other teachers who get it can make all the difference.

Don’t Forget to Subscribe for More Teacher Support!

If you find the Teacher Burnout Inventory helpful, make sure to subscribe to our channel. We release videos every week offering tips, strategies, and support for high school teachers who are feeling overwhelmed by the daily struggles of the classroom. Our goal is to help you not just like teaching again—but to love it.

Take the Teacher Burnout Inventory Now!

Take the Teacher Burnout Inventory here: www.RespectRevolution.org/tbi
It’s completely confidential, and we don’t collect any personal information. It’s just for you—to help you get clarity and take the next steps toward managing stress and preventing burnout.

Final Thoughts

Burnout is something many teachers face, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your teaching career. By taking the Teacher Burnout Inventory, you’re taking the first step toward understanding what’s draining you and how you can regain control. Remember, the sooner you know where you stand, the sooner you can start making positive changes.

So, what’s your biggest challenge right now? Classroom management? Emotional exhaustion? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments below!