Teachers feeling stress isn't new, but this year, it's hitting harder than ever. Many educators say this school year has been the most stressful of their careers, even more so than during the peak of the pandemic.

In a survey of 841 K–12 teachers, educators opened up about how stress is affecting them, what's causing it, and what schools could do to help. The findings shed light on rising pressure in classrooms and what might make a meaningful difference for the teachers in our lives.

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Key Takeaways

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• 95% of teachers are currently experiencing at least some level of stress, with more than 2 in 3 (68%) reporting moderate to very high stress.
• K-5 teachers were the most likely to feel extremely/very stressed (33%).
• 45% of teachers say this school year has been the most stressful of their careers – 3x more than those who say teaching during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was the most stressful.
• 78% of teachers make time for self-care, with 21% dedicating 5 or more hours a week and 33% spending an hour or less.
• 43% of teachers feel guilty for spending time on self-care.
• Nearly 1 in 10 (9%) teachers plan to quit this year, and 23% are thinking about it.

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What's Driving Teacher Stress in 2025?

Teachers in all types of schools and grade levels are feeling stressed. Here's how their current stress levels compare to past years, plus a look at what's causing it and what might help.

Most teachers (95%) said they are experiencing at least some level of stress. Grade 6-8 teachers reported the highest overall stress rate (98%).

More than 2 in 3 teachers (68%) felt moderate to extreme stress, with 29% of that group being very to extremely stressed. K-5 teachers were the most likely to fall into the highest stress group at 33%, and public school teachers were more than twice as likely as private school ones to report this level of stress.

Nearly half of teachers (45%) said this school year has been the most stressful of their careers. They were three times more likely to say this year has been the hardest compared to 2020, when they had to teach during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many educators (63%) also reported that their current stress levels are higher than when they first began teaching.

So, what's behind these rising stress levels, and what do teachers believe would make the biggest difference?

Educators face specific challenges in their day-to-day work that can make them feel stressed. Student behavior and discipline challenges topped the list of stressors for the majority of teachers (58%). Low salary for the work required followed at 44%, and 28% pointed to administrative demands such as paperwork, meetings, and policies.

Public school teachers were more likely than private school educators to report stress from unrealistic workloads, large class sizes, school safety concerns, and student behavior issues. Top stressors also varied by grade level. K-8 teachers were more likely than high school teachers to say student behavior, low pay, and a lack of classroom resources caused stress.

When asked what could help ease the pressure, 59% of teachers said a higher salary would make the biggest difference. A four-day school week came next at 33%, followed by stronger discipline policies in the classroom at 32%. Public school teachers were more likely to want a shortened week, while private school educators desired higher pay.

How Teachers Manage Stress and What Gets in the Way

Teachers are finding ways to prioritize their well-being, but time limits and job pressures often get in the way. They shared how they approach self-care and what would help them maintain it more consistently.

Nearly 4 in 5 teachers (78%) said they actively make time for self-care. Private school teachers were 14% more likely than public school teachers to do so. High school educators were the most likely to prioritize self-care, with 90% making time for it, while only 72% of K-5 teachers said the same. Overall, teachers most often de-stress by reading, watching TV, exercising, or pursuing a hobby.

The amount of time teachers spend on self-care varies. While 21% dedicate 5 or more hours per week, 33% spend 1 hour or less. Teachers' limited time and competing demands can make it difficult to prioritize personal well-being. A quarter said they aren't able to engage in self-care activities at least once a week.

Many teachers also face emotional barriers when it comes to taking time for themselves. Unfortunately, 43% said they felt guilty for practicing self-care, and that feeling was most common among K-5 teachers (50%). And due to job demands, 78% of teachers have skipped self-care activities.

Support from schools could help, as 85% of teachers said they would use self-care perks if their workplace provided them. Around 3 in 4 (76%) also believed their stress would be reduced if schools implemented mandatory self-care breaks.

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Lack of Appreciation and Rising Turnover Concerns

Many teachers feel undervalued in their roles, and growing numbers are considering leaving the profession.

About 1 in 2 teachers (48%) said they feel unappreciated for the work they do. K-5 teachers were the most likely to feel this way (51%). Public school teachers were 66% more likely than private school teachers to report feeling unappreciated.

Concerns about retention are also rising: 1 in 10 teachers said they plan to quit this year, and 23% are considering it. Grade 6–8 teachers were the most likely to be planning to leave the profession (11%), while K-5 teachers were the most likely to be thinking about it (23%). Half of teachers said they think more about quitting now than they did a year ago, and a third don't expect to still be teaching 3 years from now.

Stress Is Driving Teachers to a Breaking Point

Our findings paint a clear picture of a profession under strain, with teachers reporting high stress, limited support, and growing thoughts of leaving. Many are calling for better pay, more time for self-care, and stronger classroom policies to help ease the pressure. Without meaningful change, schools risk losing experienced educators who are struggling to stay in a job they once loved.

Methodology

For this study, we surveyed 841 K-12 educators about their current stress levels and how they manage stress. The respondents taught students as follows: K-5 (31%), grades 6-8 (16%), grades 9-12 (12%), and multiple grade levels (41%); 75% taught at public schools and 25% at private schools.

About Prodigy Education

Prodigy Education is a global leader in game-based learning. Our mission is to help every student in the world love learning, motivating millions worldwide via fun, secure, and accessible curriculum-aligned gameplay experiences. At Prodigy Education, we believe maximizing student motivation helps develop a lifetime love of learning. Prodigy's approach to fun, game-based learning means kids no longer have to choose between homework and playtime. Visit www.prodigygame.com to learn more.

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