Let’s be real: teachers are tired.
Not “I stayed up too late scrolling on my phone” tired. We’re talking lesson plans, parent emails, grading papers, classroom personalities, meetings, early mornings, after-school responsibilities and somehow still remembering that tomorrow is Spirit Day kind of tired.
And yet, every morning, they get up and do it all over again.
That’s exactly why Teacher B.A.E.’s Self-Care Con felt necessary.
This past weekend, educators stepped away from the classroom and into a space where, for once, nobody was asking them to grade anything, fix anything or take care of everybody else.
The assignment was simple: take care of YOU.
Created by veteran educator Applemania Bradford, Teacher B.A.E., which stands for Balanced And Educated, was built around something that sounds simple but can be incredibly difficult for educators to practice: finding balance while doing work that constantly requires you to give.
Bradford knows that struggle personally. After years in education, she understands that loving what you do doesn’t magically make you immune to exhaustion.
Sometimes the people with the biggest hearts are also the ones running dangerously close to empty.
We love a good massage. A facial? Absolutely. A weekend away with the girls? Say less.
But Self-Care Con pushed the conversation beyond the Instagram version of wellness.
Because real self-care isn’t always glamorous.
Sometimes it’s establishing boundaries.
Sometimes it’s learning how to say no without writing a three-paragraph explanation afterward.
Sometimes it’s acknowledging that you’re overwhelmed before your body forces you to slow down.
And sometimes it’s simply sitting in a room with other women who understand exactly why you’re tired without requiring you to explain it.
That sense of community is part of what makes Teacher B.A.E. special.
Educators spend so much of their professional lives thinking about students. Is everyone learning? Who needs additional support? Who hasn’t turned in an assignment? Who seems quieter than usual? Who needs encouragement?
Meanwhile, the teacher may be carrying an entire life of her own behind that classroom door.
Self-Care Con gave educators permission to put that mental checklist down for a minute.
Who takes care of the teacher?
It’s a question worth asking.
We expect teachers to educate, encourage, protect, motivate and sometimes fill gaps that extend far beyond academics.
But when was the last time we collectively asked whether the teacher was okay?
Teacher B.A.E. is helping change that conversation by creating intentional spaces where educators can focus on their wellness without feeling guilty about it.
And guilt is a big part of the problem.
Women, especially, can become so accustomed to being the person everyone relies on that choosing themselves begins to feel selfish.
It isn’t.
Resting doesn’t mean you don’t care about your students.
Setting boundaries doesn’t mean you’ve lost your passion.
Taking a mental health day doesn’t erase your dedication.
And wanting a life outside of your profession certainly doesn’t make you less committed to it.
You can love the babies and still need a break from the babies.
Both things can be true.
There are plenty of professional development sessions teaching educators how to become better teachers. There are workshops on curriculum, classroom management, technology and student engagement.
But Teacher B.A.E. is asking educators to consider another piece of the equation:
How do you take care of the person doing the teaching?
That’s professional development, too.
Learning how to recognize burnout matters. Creating sustainable wellness habits matters. Having a community of people who understand your experience matters.
Because teachers aren’t machines programmed to walk into classrooms and perform every morning.
They’re people.
They have families. Bills. Relationships. Dreams. Bad days. Great days. Days when they question everything and days when one student reminds them exactly why they chose this profession in the first place.
If there was one takeaway from Teacher B.A.E.’s Self-Care Con, it’s that educators shouldn’t have to completely burn out before deciding they deserve care.
You don’t have to earn rest by reaching exhaustion.
You don’t have to apologize for creating boundaries.
And you definitely don’t have to wait until summer break to remember that you have a life outside of your classroom.
Teacher B.A.E. is creating a community where being a great educator and taking care of yourself aren’t competing ideas.
They’re connected.
So here’s the permission slip teachers rarely receive:
Take the break.
Book the appointment.
Turn the email notifications off.
Laugh with your girlfriends.
Protect your peace.
Drink some water.
And please, leave those papers in the bag tonight.
They’ll still be there tomorrow.
Class dismissed.
Watch Our Full Interview with Applemania Bradford below!
