Tag: culture

More on Teacher Care

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“Books & Links & Resources… Oh, My”

Now retired and “far from ground zero,” I admit I don’t have a clear roadmap nor “magic pill” for a definitive plan to remediate educator stress, burnout, exhaustion, demoralization, and negative school climate. My disclaimer: So-called “expert recommendations” on self-care strategies towards better health and wellness, coping skills, and time management may not be applicable to every setting, situation, nor individual need. In other words, no prescription can cure every educator’s symptoms.

However, from recent conversations with those “still in the trenches” and colleagues who endured those horrible COVID (and post-pandemic) years in the schools, we need to address “the elephant in the room” (viewpoints of systemic breakdowns and loss of admin or community supports) and propose fresh looks into self- and school system improvements.

My friend Thomas Bailey (who has created a comprehensive ethics course for PA teachers and admins alike – refer to these past blogs 1, 2, & 3) and I have heard many “horror stories” of day-to-day dysfunctions, micromanagement and disrespect of teachers, a general lack of support and professionalism, and unhealthy/unsustainable policies, practices, and patterns of work environments at school. We have witnessed angry parents storming school board meetings, staff shortages with some positions going unfulfilled for months or longer, uncertified teachers placed in classrooms, overloaded teaching schedules, classroom management problems, increased risks and incidents of school violence, class sizes on the rise, and significantly less educator planning time.

In short, according to the blog Teacher Burnout Statistics – Why Teachers Quit in 2026, K-12 educators are in the most burned out profession in the world:

  • 57% of U.S. teachers reported burnout in 2026, versus 36% of similar working adults (RAND, 2026)
  • 18% of teachers intended to leave their jobs in 2026 (RAND, 2026)
  • Managing student behavior is the #1 source of teacher stress, cited by 52% of teachers (RAND, 2026)
  • 77% of teachers say their job is frequently stressful, and 68% say it is overwhelming (Pew Research Center, 2024)
  • 78% of teachers have thought about quitting since the pandemic (University of Missouri, 2025)
  • 74% of public schools struggled to fill at least one teaching vacancy for the 2024-25 school year (NCES)
  • K-12 teachers were the most burned-out profession in Gallup’s most recent occupational ranking, at 52% (Gallup, 2022)
  • About 8% of public school teachers leave the profession each year (NCES)
  • Teachers worked an average of 49 hours per week in 2025, about 10 more than they were contracted for (RAND, 2025)

So, since the intent for this paulfox.blog site is to serve as a repository of professional development and insightful conversations for career development, I feel there is a need to share any new “finds,” innovative ideas (even those considered controversial), research, and other resources with the hopes that they may spark even an infinitesimal growth in sustained advancements in personal and staff resilience, self-care, motivation and passion for teaching, and work/life balance… as well as the goal for philosophical and structural changes in school climate and culture in order to promote positive employee morale and wellbeing.

Past blogs on this subject (and, when available, their accompanying conference slides decks) should be reviewed:

If you peruse the above links to my past articles, you will find the mentioning of several outstanding books to begin your journey towards the rejuvenescence of self-care. Please beg, borrow, (ahem – steal?), or purchase these to begin.

The Lesley Moffat Series (both are SUPER!)

Click here for her website.

In addition to I Love My Job But It’s Killing Me and Love the Job, Lose the Stress, you should also check out her newest publication, The Balanced Band Director! Her notes:

Over the years, I realized something important:
Most band directors don’t need more ideas. They need fewer drains on their energy.
They need systems that respect their values, their standards, and their humanity.

That belief is at the heart of everything I share now—through my books, my podcast, my coaching, and the tools I’ve built specifically for music educators. The strategies I teach aren’t theoretical. They’re the same ones that have helped me and hundreds of others move from constant depletion to a career that still challenges me without consuming me.

Being a Balanced Band Director doesn’t mean lowering the bar.
It means removing the noise, the overload, and the unnecessary friction that makes this job harder than it has to be.

Upbeat – Mindset, Mindfulness & Leadership in Music Education & Beyond by Matthew Arau

Click here for his website.

The book is divided into three parts – Ignite, Inspire, and Lead – and addresses numerous topics such as these:

  • Self-care for optimal mental, emotional, and physical wellness
  • The transformative power of positivity and gratitude
  • Growth mindset
  • Mindful breathing and listening in an ensemble setting
  • Internal self-reflection to outward expressions of leadership …and more!

Valuable contributions by author Angela Watson

Click here for her website.

She defines the goal of Awakened – Change Your Mindset to Transform Your Teaching:

Showing up in the classroom as the best version of yourself each day requires serious mental fortitude. This book will empower you to develop the resilient, flexible, positive mindset you need to:

Change your perception of setbacks by replacing judgment with curiosity.
Observe your thoughts and select the ones that create results you want.
Honor your intuition, mind-body connection, and emotions for the insights they provide.
Let go of bias, unrealistic expectations, standards, and comparisons.
Practice radical acceptance to stay motivated even when you don’t see results.
Realize a sense of accomplishment in a job that’s truly never done.

In addition, as a closure to my own self-care workshops, I have always used these “motivating beliefs” illustrated in her first book, Fewer Things Better:

  • I am worthy of better and change is possible for me right now.
  • I set my own expectations in life and in teaching.
  • I know what is important and allocate time accordingly.
  • I ensure my needs are met to prevent overwhelm and exhaustion.

Now for the “Newer” Curriculum

If we could “wave a magic wand” and instantly transform the climate and culture in the schools, what would we do? During my PA Department of Education SAS Institute presentation for admins in December 2025, we explored a wide variety of key concepts, concentrated on more “teacher asks of administration” that are backed by multiple sources:

  • Give teachers the respect that they deserve.
  • Show that you value their time.
  • Streamline communications. Hold fewer or shorter team or faculty meetings (substitute some with emails?).
  • Set and adhere to healthy boundaries for work/life balance.
  • Prove that you trust them.
  • Protect classroom time by minimizing interruptions.
  • Reduce unnecessary accountability documentation.
  • Never underestimate your staff. Professionalize your language when discussing your staff with parents and other stakeholders.
  • Acknowledge their struggles and show that you appreciate the work they are doing.
  • Involve teachers in the creation of targeted professional development activities that are the most meaningful for them.
  • Ask teachers about what specific help they need to improve classroom management.
  • Ask teachers what mental health or other supports they need to cope with their own distress.
  • Reframe your role as school leader. Shift from a school principal’s current focus on operations and compliance to a fuller picture of instructional leadership: a more “hands-on” approach to supports for student success, social-emotional learning, and a deeper emphasis on school culture, wellness, and community engagement.

Over the next 6-12 months, I plan to post a handful of new research and resources for your perusal. Here is a sneak preview of several books for an advanced and closer look.

Additional References

These were updated from my last conference handout for Self-Care Cookbook 2.0. Enjoy!

PKF

© 2026 Paul K. Fox

WHERE Should You Retire?

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This article was first released in the Fall 2018 state journal of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, PMEA News.

 

Do you know where you’re going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to, do you know?
Do you get what you’re hoping for?
When you look behind you there’s no open door.
What are you hoping for, do you know?

Lyrics to “Do You Know Where You’re Going To?” and the “Theme from Mahogany” by Michael Masser and Gerald Goffin

Sung and recorded by Diana Ross, Mariah Carey, and Tina Arena

 

What are the three most important factors to consider before choosing your retirement destination?

  1. Location
  2. Location
  3. Location.

 

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Much has already been discussed and archived here at this blog-site about definitions (“the what”) and strategies (“the how”) for a happy retirement. And deciding to retire (“the when”) is a very personal issue, something in which only you and perhaps your closest family members may have a voice at the appropriate time and setting.

Now, what about “the where?”

According to many advisors, including Melissa Phipps in her The Balance blog-post “Find Out Where You Should Retire” (https://www.thebalance.com/where-should-i-retire-2894254), your deliberation may be affected by a number of influences:

  • Personal preference: stay local or go elsewhere?
  • Housing
  • Mortgage?
  • Taxes
  • Your health and mobility
  • Proximity to family, children/grandchildren?
  • Human services, recreation, history/cultural attractions, shopping, and transportation

The US Census Bureau reports that 49 out of 50 people over the age of 65 stay right where they are when they retire. Phipps advises, “If your current hometown is affordable, close to friends and family, and near activities and entertainment you most enjoy, why move for the sake of moving? Instead, consider whether the need for change can be satisfied through more frequent brief vacations, or by purchasing an inexpensive weekend getaway home.”

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However, are there advantages to downsizing and leaving your current abode?

You may want to read “Should You Downsize in Retirement?” by Casey Dowd of Fox Business at https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/should-you-downsize-in-retirement. I also recommend https://www.newretirement.com/retirement/your-complete-guide-to-downsizing-for-retirement-12-tips-for-a-happily-ever-after/.

Posted on The Motley Fool is Christy Bieber’s article “Where Should You Retire? These 5 Factors Will Help You Decide” (https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/09/19/where-should-you-retire-these-5-factors-will-help.aspx). She focuses on that scary “e” word – economics.

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“The world is your oyster once you no longer need to work – you could technically move anywhere. But there are, of course, practical considerations in deciding where you’ll live – and while dreaming about a mega-mansion on the beach may be enjoyable, it’s also important to make a viable plan. Your choice of location can affect how much you need to save, how long your money will last, and even what happens to your health and to your legacy.”

Most of the online retirement gurus recommend careful and comprehensive research, even spending time to visit and “live awhile” in the places on your “short list,” and educate yourself in these areas:

  • Population, economy, attractions, and general info (visit the Internet sites of the local Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Agency, and visitor bureaus)
  • Climate (review interactive climate data tools from the National Climatic Data Center)
  • Cost of Living (see “cost of living comparison calculator” of the Council for Community and Economic Research)
  • Crime Rates (read the PBI’s annual “Crime in the United States: Uniform Crime Reports”)
  • Health Care (check out the U.S. News & World Report “Guide to the Best Hospitals” data base)

portugal-2423629_1920_larahcv

If you are looking for a book on the subject of “where to live in retirement,” there are many. At least, be sure to check out the 2007 revised edition of The New Retirement – The Ultimate Guide to the Rest of Your Life by Jan Cullinane and Cathy Fitzgerald (Rodale) with more than 30 new recommendations for specific communities to consider for retirement, plus updated home prices and cost-of-living figures for existing communities, new niche lifestyles including club living, spa living, communities that are also cities, and moving where there is free land, and an expanded section on second homes.

If you are still a little “unsettled on where to settle” and enjoy taking online quizzes, check out these links (to which, although fun, I cannot vouch for their validity):

Although geography may play a crucial role in this debate, so does your choice of floor plan. (One could argue that the other three most important factors in choosing a retirement destination are mobility, mobility, and mobility!) When I retired in 2013, I suffered severe pain in my Achilles heels requiring ten weeks of challenging physical therapy. During recovery, I walked my two puppies past numerous one-story ranch structures in my neighborhood, feeling a little jealous that I had to return to a split level with its multitude of stairs – four sets of five steps! The trend in our area for new construction for retirees is a one-floor patio home with a “great room” (kitchen, dining and family/game room areas) that incorporates the safety and ease of future “senior access” while accommodating the needs of multi-generational use of the residence, with these practical design elements:

  • Wheel chair access, especially in the bathrooms
  • Pull-out and pull-down shelving
  • Multi-level counters
  • Remote control blinds and windows
  • Slip resistance floors
  • Open floor plan
  • Bright, functional lighting
  • Flat-panel light switches

(Source: https://houseplans.co/articles/planning-for-retirement-house-plans-for-seniors/)

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Finally, this is too important an issue to “pull any punches” without a few more resources (below) for your consideration. Good luck, and happy trails, retirees!

 

PKF

© 2018 Paul K. Fox

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Photo credits from Pixabay.com: “hands” by stokpic, “people” by MabelAmber, “early morning” by werner22brigitte, “polynesia” by Julius_Silver, “portugal” by larahcv, “panorama” by pixexid, and “venice” by kirkandmimi.

Where Are the Models, Mentors, and Motivators?

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Photo credit: FreeImages.com, photographer Peter C.

 

Are You Listening to Solo, Chamber, and Orchestral Music?

foxsfiresidesWhen I was teaching full-time school orchestra music grades 5-12, the following conversation by students in my program may have been shared at the dinner table. “He wants me to spend time and listen to several outstanding players. I was a little embarrassed when he called on me in class and asked, ‘Who is your favorite violinist?’ and I could not identify a single principal string player or even the current Concertmaster of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra!”

I was dismayed that as many as 80% of my instrumentalists could not respond with the name of a famous classical musician who is currently playing their instrument! This brings the issue to the forefront of my greatest concern: DOES ANYONE LISTEN TO GOOD MUSIC ANYMORE?

Obviously, most people learning how to play golf, tennis, ballet, ice skating, gymnastics or any of the contact sports, could instantly name their “hero” and leading examples in their field. Can you imagine not watching a professional athlete model his/her technique? For example, if you wanted to learn how to be a high-diver or competitive swimmer, would you simply read a book on the subject, study the moves, take a few lessons, practice in the pool, and not once attend a local swim meet or watch the Olympic event when it appeared on TV?

seriestoshare-logo-01Pittsburgh has a strong cultural base, providing a home for the world-class Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Pops, the Pittsburgh Ballet and Pittsburgh Opera companies, and the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera productions, to name a few venues. We are also most fortunate that many amateur or semi-professional groups such as the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra, Washington Symphony, and River City Brass Band are local (some concerts presented conveniently next door in the Upper St. Clair HS Theatre). Professional soloists and chamber groups visit our city nearly every month, and opportunities to enjoy free concerts are limitless on cable/FiOS television and WQED.

This revelation motivated me to bring my laptop computer to every music lesson and ensemble rehearsal to share musical examples. With truly “basic” technology, there is really no excuse for not exploring a sea of masterpieces, watching a virtuoso performing his craft up-close – thanks especially to online resources such as www.youtube.com. Here are just a few “totally free” audio examples:

Here is the musicianship prescription – tips on providing meaningful motivation, momentum, and exposure to GREAT works of art in order to become more culturally connected and musically literate:

  • Families: Take the music break and listen to Classical (all styles/eras), folk, pop/jazz music at least once a week.
  • Encourage your musician to regularly use his/her computer/tablet to watch performances on the web.
  • Choose several favorite soloists playing the same instrument you are studying, and follow them.
  • Buy CDs of music or download movements of concertos, sonatas, or symphonies from iTunes, etc.
  • Go to a live professional concert at least once a year – more often in the summer, if possible.

Take a trip to the South Hills Junior Orchestra website… Under “Resources,” check out the two sets of free “Series to Share…” additional “Fox’s Fireside” issues by Paul K. Fox, and “Music Enrichment Workshop” presentations by Donna Stark Fox. In particular, download and read the Listening Enrichment Session, the perfect companion to this article.

PKF

© 2017 Paul K. Fox

This “Series to Share” is brought to you by… the Founding Directors of the South Hills Junior Orchestra (SHJO), “A Community Orchestra for All Ages” based in Western Pennsylvania. Feel free to download a printable copy and distribute to music students, parents, teachers, and fellow amateur musicians.

SHJO rehearses most Saturdays in the band room of the Upper St. Clair High School, 1825 McLaughlin Run Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241. New members are always welcome! For more information, please go to www.shjo.org.