Most teachers (59%) say they “often” or “always” feel their work is stressful, according to data from the 2024 State of the American Teacher Survey. That number is down from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when 78 percent of teachers reported high levels of job-related stress. However, the percentage of teachers experiencing high levels of job-related stress is still twice that reported among the general population of working adults. Additionally, the drop in job-related stress among teachers from 2021 to 2023 was followed by a plateau, whereas other working adults saw a steady decline.
Figure: Percent of workers reporting frequent job-related stress
Note: Data for the general population of working adults on job-related stress were not available for 2021.
Source: Doan, S., Steiner, E.D., & Pandey, R. (2024). Teacher well-being and intentions to leave in 2024: Findings from the 2024 State of the American Teacher Survey. RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1108-12.html
While teachers are key to students’ academic success, many students also see them as trusted sources of support for nonacademic problems. However, when teachers experience high levels of stress, it can be difficult for them to provide students with the support they need—a task that has become increasingly critical as schools work to ameliorate pandemic-related learning challenges amid a youth mental health crisis.
High levels of job-related stress among teachers can also increase staff turnover, which means that school districts—many of which must make difficult decisions to reduce their budgets—have to dedicate more funds to recruit and orient new teachers.
To help school districts ensure that their schools are supportive learning spaces and workplaces, Child Trends has developed a Toolkit for School Systems to Advance Comprehensive School Employee Wellness. The toolkit emphasizes the importance of centering the needs of all school employees—not just teachers—and finding the right mix of strategies to equip individuals with key skills and knowledge while aligning school district policies and practices to reduce job-related stress.
Interested in working with Child Trends on improving school employee wellness? Contact Brandon Stratford at bstratford@childtrends.org.