A few months ago, a young teacher sat across from me and said something that stopped me in my tracks. “I love teaching,” she said. “I just don’t want teaching to become my whole life.”
As a millennial school leader who entered the profession during an era when educators often wore exhaustion like a badge of honor, I initially found myself wrestling with her statement. Part of me wanted to respond with all the familiar talking points about sacrifice, commitment, and doing whatever it takes for kids.
Instead, I listened. And the more I listen to teachers from Generation Z, the more I realize they are forcing educational leaders to confront an uncomfortable question: “Have we confused dedication with depletion?”