143. Teacher Burnout vs. Disengagement: What’s Really Going On? with Special Guest Mandy Froelich

Apr 22, 2025

Not all exhaustion in education is burnout. Sometimes, it’s something deeper—and sneakier. In this episode, we’re unpacking a powerful and often-overlooked distinction: teacher burnout vs. teacher disengagement.

Mandy Froelich joins the conversation to shed light on how disengagement can quietly take root in educators’ lives—impacting everything from mindset to motivation—without the visible signs of full burnout. Together, we explore how to spot the difference, why it matters, and how to re-engage with purpose and passion.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why don’t I care like I used to?” or “Am I just tired—or done?” this one’s for you.

TOPICS COVERED

• What teacher disengagement really looks like (and how it’s different from burnout)

• The emotional and behavioral symptoms of disengagement

• Why disengagement can be harder to identify than burnout

• Mandy Froelich’s personal story of leaving the classroom and finding a new path

• Actionable strategies to re-engage and rediscover your purpose

• The role of values alignment and environment in sustaining energy and motivation

• How to start having honest conversations with yourself (and others) about your wellbeing

RELATED RESOURCES:

This episode is sponsored by: Prodigy Math

Introducing the Prodigy Monthly State Challenge—the world’s biggest math competition ever! From January 6th to April 30th, your students can compete against schools across your state by answering math questions, climbing leaderboards, and winning their share of over $1 million in prizes!

Each month:

• 🌟 500+ winners earn amazing prizes

• 📈 Leaderboard points boost your school’s ranking

Then, in May, get ready for the Prodigy National Cup—a two-week math showdown with $220,000 in tech grants, pizza parties, trophies, and more! One school will win the grand prize: $100,000 tech grant, a school-wide celebration, and a special visit from Prodigy’s founders!

Best part? It’s 100% free to join (forever)! Students master math, you earn rewards—win-win!

Sign up free today at teachingmindbodyandsoul.com/statechallenge and bring the thrill of competition to your classroom!
Join the Waitlist for Automate Your Classroom Course - Learn the step-by-step roadmap TO creating a sustainable teacher task simplification and automation system to beat burnout, squash stress, get back YOUR time, and sustain your career in education
Request Professional Development from your Administrator
Interested in getting support for your school - Check out the For Schools Page
Watch the FREE "Balance before Burnout: Work/Life Balance Audit" Mini-workshop
The Ultimate Teacher Digital Planner
FREE Affirmations for Burned Out Teachers Workbook to help change your mindset

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website - divergentedu.com
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mandyfroehlich.bsky.social
X: https://x.com/froehlichm
Books:
- The Reignited Educator
- The Educators Matchbook
Podcast - Learning Can't Wait Podcast

CONNECT WITH BRITTANY:

RELATED EPISODES:

MORE ABOUT THE RESILIENT TEACHER PODCAST:

The Resilient Teacher Podcast is the show that will give overwhelmed educators the support, tools, and mindset to reduce teacher burnout and keep teaching sustainable. Each week, Brittany Blackwell, M.Ed. & her guests will share inspiration and actionable steps to avoid or recover from the dreaded teacher burnout. You'll be inspired to individualize self-care and learn to prioritize your well-being and mental health, all while making a bigger impact on your classrooms and community.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW ON ITUNES:

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And if you are feeling extra amazing, I would be super grateful if you would leave a review on iTunes, too! Those reviews help other educators who are burned out and needing support find the podcast, and I love shouting you out on the Community Reviewer of the Week Segment! Just click here to review, select "Ratings & Reviews" and "Write a Review" and share what you are loving about the podcast!

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