According to a new survey by the RAND corporation, teachers work an estimated 53 hours a week—seven more hours than the average working adult. This comes with enormous responsibilities, and behind those long hours are stories of dedication, care, and most importantly, a constant effort of balance.
Every day, teachers enter their classrooms ready to guide, inspire, and support students, often placing others’ needs before their own. Between planning lessons, grading papers, coaching activities, and managing families, they juggle enormous responsibilities. Yet many still find ways to make it all work and to find happiness in the process. Their capacity to balance professional commitment with personal well-being reveals the strength, creativity, and heart required of educators today.
English teacher Ms. Phaneuf represents exactly that kind of balance. For her, each school day begins well before she even steps foot into the building. “I’m thinking about what I’m going to do with my kids that day basically from the moment I wake up in the morning,” she says. “Then I have to have all of the coffee, ALL of it, to make things function.” Her mornings start with reflection and preparation, setting the tone for a day filled with connection and creativity.
For her, school isn’t just a workplace, it’s a second home filled with laughter, teamwork, and support. When she arrives at school, she’s surrounded by one of her favorite parts of the job: her coworkers and students. “Working here is awesome because I’m working with my friends,” she says. “I also get to see students before class who come in for help or just to chat.” That sense of community helps make the long days feel meaningful and positive.
When class begins, Ms. Phaneuf describes teaching as something that almost feels like a performance. “Block one is the first show, block two is the second one,” she says.
She loves teaching different classes to keep things fresh and engaging. Her passion for students is clear in the way she talks about her lessons, her coworkers, and even her hall duty. She embraces every part of the day, finding joy in the little moments that make teaching rewarding.
Still, the effort to balance work and life isn’t always easy. Teaching can easily spill over into nights and weekends if boundaries aren’t set. “Its actually pretty challenging,” she says. “I could be grading, planning, or creating all the time if I didn’t set boundaries. I try really hard to set boundaries, like I do not check my email at night. Any issue that happens then can wait until we see each other the next day.” That rule helps her separate her professional life from her personal one, protecting her energy and allowing her to focus on her family when she’s home.
Ms. Phaneuf believes that healthy boundaries are essential for every teacher. “Leave at the same time every day,” she says. “Don’t stay until 6 p.m. trying to get everything done. You also have to take care of yourself, you’re important too.” Her words reflect a growing understanding in education that self-care isn’t selfish, it’s necessary. Teachers who take care of themselves have more energy and compassion to give their students.
For Ms. Phaneuf, one of the biggest changes that helped her achieve balance was moving from full-time to part-time teaching. “It makes it incredibly easy,” she says. “It helps with family time, homework, dinner, and just keeping life organized.” Her schedule allows her to be present for her family while still doing the job she loves. She doesn’t have to choose between being a great teacher and being a great mom, she gets to be both.
Outside of school, Ms. Phaneuf finds many ways to unwind and enjoy her personal life. “I love watching movies, going for walks, and exercising,” she says. “I also love spending time with my family. And yes, retail therapy helps too.” She laughs about her love for shopping and good food, saying that those small joys help her recharge and give her a good way to rest.
In contrast, full-time teachers experience a different pace, but they also find ways to make their schedules rewarding. Mr. Zylla, a full-time teacher, golf coach, and Trojan Tribune Advisor, starts his day early as well, but with a focus on structure and organization. He emphasizes time management as the key to maintaining balance.
Both teachers highlight the importance of self-care and personal time, even in the midst of busy schedules. For Mr. Zylla, that might mean carving out time outside school hours. “I always do some sort of work after my kids go to bed and block specific times off,” he says. “But from 4:00 until my kids go to bed, I don’t do work.” The message is clear; balance looks different for everyone, but it’s always about making intentional choices to prioritize what matters.
During golf season, the days can be stressful for Mr. Zylla. “Coaching adds a lot to the workload…there’s out-of-season things I do too,” he says. “But as long as I’m planning ahead with it, I can usually handle it.”
Even though this can be hard, Mr. Zylla is motivated to take on extra roles, even with a busy schedule. When asked what motivates him, he said, “I’m a graduate of Wayzata…teachers took the time to do this and they paid it forward, and now I’m trying to pay it forward to the next generation of future teachers.”
Despite the differences between part-time and full-time schedules, both teachers demonstrate that balance is possible. Ms. Phaneuf shows how part-time teaching allows her to nurture her family and her passions, while Mr. Zylla exemplifies how careful planning and routines can make full-time teaching fulfilling. Both approaches share a common theme: teachers who set boundaries, focus on what matters most, and find joy in their work can thrive, no matter the challenges.
Teachers remind us that balance is not only achievable, it’s inspiring.
