Teaching is meaningful, purposeful work that positively changes lives. But let’s be honest: December doesn’t always feel meaningful. It can feel down right exhausting.

Between assessments, concerts, conferences, report cards, holiday events, and students who are vibrating at peppermint-fueled frequency levels, it’s no wonder that this month can drain teachers faster than any other. And while winter break is approaching, its eventual arrival doesn’t erase the fact that December is one of the most stressful stretches of the school year.

Yet here’s the hopeful part: teaching, even in December, doesn’t have to deplete you. Caring for yourself isn’t selfish; it makes you more present, more grounded, and ultimately more effective for your students.

Below are ways to make it through this season with a little more balance, energy, and compassion for yourself.

Prioritize Your Own Well-Being

Teachers often try to meet every need before acknowledging their own, especially during the holidays. But sustainable teaching requires the opposite, which means recognizing that tending to your well-being is part of the job. This might mean setting boundaries, saying “no” to extra holiday duties, or asking for help. Modeling this shows students healthy habits as well.

Build Classroom Structures That Support You

December magnifies chaos, which makes routines and structure more valuable than ever. Predictable rhythms, clear expectations, and student-led responsibilities help keep things running smoothly, especially when energy levels are high. Good systems are not restrictive; they free you to focus on the parts of teaching that bring you joy.

Speaking of Joy…Lean Into What Brings You Joy

In a hectic month, intentionally incorporating the parts of teaching you love can be grounding. If hands-on learning lights you up, use it. If creative projects energize you, weave them in. And if grading mountains feel even higher than usual, try more efficient assessment approaches. Joy is an essential tool that shouldn’t be looked at as a luxury.

Cultivate a Supportive Community

December is a team sport. Lean on colleagues, mentors, and friends who understand the unique stress of this season. A quick check-in, a shared laugh, or a five-minute vent session can be deeply restorative. No teacher should navigate December alone.

Celebrate the Small Wins

This time of year, it can feel like the to-do list grows faster than you can check things off. That’s why noticing the wins matters. Be present in the days when a student shows kindness or when a class has an “a-ha” moment. These instances may be small, but together they’re sustaining.

Make Time for Life Outside School

When the month is jam-packed, personal time can feel impossible but even tiny breaks matter. A walk, a favorite show, reading something that isn’t student work, or setting an evening no-work boundary can restore energy and perspective.

Teaching Can Be Fulfilling (Even in December)

The idea that teaching must drain you to be meaningful is outdated. You can be impactful and whole. When teachers feel balanced, students benefit from deeper learning, stronger relationships, and a calmer classroom environment.

As you push through the final stretch before winter break, remember: your needs matter, too. Taking care of yourself isn’t just allowed, it’s essential. Because just like on an airplane, you can’t help anyone else until your own oxygen mask is on.

And if there were ever a month to hold that truth close, it’s December.