A Self-Care and Wellness Framework in Educator Preparation to Address Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Secondary Traumatic Stress

As a result of stress, burnout, and attrition, the U.S. has perpetual teacher shortages. While systemic changes are necessary to improve the field of education, teaching as a helping profession is stressful, with multiple job responsibilities and roles. In addition to work-related stress and burnout, teachers are also affected by compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress (STS). This article provides a self-care and wellness framework for faculty at educator preparation programs to embed across coursework and clinical practice, supporting preservice teachers (PSTs) through a preventative approach. We explain each construct and follow up with case studies to illustrate how signs and symptoms may appear for PSTs. Our wellness framework and self-care lessons are intended to make self-care strategies tangible, applicable, and easily integrated into PSTs’ educational, professional, and personal lives.