Educator well-being is often approached in terms of self-care, with an overreliance on individual strategies and supports for well-being. Although well-intentioned, this approach can inadvertently put the onus on individuals to heal and care for themselves, ignoring the impacts of systems and structures on individual and collective well-being.

This guide is for education leaders at all levels—local, regional, and state—in charge of supporting their education staff. It offers practical information and guidance on educator well-being in these ever-challenging times. The guide includes the following sections to help education leaders co-create educational environments that are systems of well-being:

  • Key Concepts: the “what” and “why,” providing background information on the ecological systems framework and the root causes of and conditions for well-being; the relationship between brains, bodies, behaviors, and environments; influences of bias and perception on educator well-being; and shifting systems
  • Tips for Using the Strategies: the foundational elements of applying the guide’s strategies
  • Strategies: the “how,” offering some ways to rethink and redesign education systems as well as some preventative and restorative strategies, with specific examples
  • References: works cited throughout the guide

Creating a Culture of Care Summary Document

In Brief: Creating a Culture of Care

This summary document features highlights from the guide and an infographic, which depicts a shift from traditional ways of addressing educator burnout toward more inclusive, sustainable approaches that are suggested in the guide.