Jan. 23, 2026

86. Teacher Burnout Prevention: 37 Years of Classroom Wisdom with Craig Shapiro

Show Notes

Teacher Burnout Prevention: 37 Years of Classroom Wisdom with Craig Shapiro

After 37 years in the classroom, Craig Shapiro knows what separates teachers who burn out from those who thrive for decades.

In this conversation, Craig shares hard-won wisdom from nearly four decades as a health and physical education teacher, mentor, and strength coach. We dig into the lessons most teachers learn the hard way—and how to avoid those mistakes.

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What you'll learn:

- Why relationships matter more than perfect lesson plans (and how to build them authentically)

- The two career-changing lessons Craig learned from colleagues early on

- How to be flexible without losing structure (the "must teach, would like to teach, hope to teach" framework)

- Why listening is sometimes more important than fixing

- The truth about every student bringing a different lens to your classroom

- How to find balance when education tries to consume your entire life

- What non-teachers misunderstand about the profession (and how to communicate better with parents)

- Craig's daily practice for surviving tough teaching days

- Why toxic lunch rooms will destroy your career—and what to do instead

Key quotes:

"When you close your door, it's you and the kids. That time is so valuable—focus on giving your best during that time."

"Your lesson plan is a sketch. Be flexible enough to realize what must I teach first, what would I like to teach, and what would I hope to teach."

"Find one positive thing each day. One thing. Some days are just tough—but if you can find that one pebble that makes you feel good, use it as a springboard for tomorrow."

About Craig Shapiro:

Craig taught for 37 years as a health and physical education teacher, mentor, and strength coach. He's also a nationally ranked powerlifter, certified personal trainer, and author of Dream Big: Stories and Strategies for a Successful Classroom. Now retired from teaching, Craig focuses on personal training, writing, and supporting educators.

Resources mentioned:

- Atomic Habits by James Clear - https://geni.us/o2Rf

- Define Your Why by Barbara Bray - https://geni.us/TXZy3

- Dream Big: Stories and Strategies for a Successful Classroom by Craig Shapiro - https://geni.us/kSnwSk

The links above are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It's a simple way to support the podcast while getting resources that genuinely help. Thanks for making these conversations possible.

Join The STRONG Teacher's Lounge: https://www.skool.com/the-strong-teachers-lounge-3476/about

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Weather Check

01:31 Craig's Teaching Journey and Philosophy

04:11 Lessons Learned from Colleagues

09:45 The Importance of Relationships in Education

12:32 Advice for New Educators

19:30 Understanding the Teaching Profession

22:50 Recommended Reads for Educators

26:41 Music and Personal Reflections

29:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Educators

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