The Educator's Guide to REST

Burnout, stress, and emotional fatigue have become all too familiar in today’s educational landscape. The Educator’s Guide to REST offers a lifeline as a grounded, evidence-informed, and emotionally resonant guide for teachers who want to rediscover their purpose, find joy in their work, and create sustainable practices for resilience and well-being.

Developed from years of classroom experience and action research, REST (Resilient Educator Support Team) is a 12-module framework built around the idea that educators need practical, compassionate tools and supportive communities. The flexible 12-module format is suitable for individual, classroom, or professional learning community use. It addresses self-awareness and emotional intelligence; mindfulness and stress management; building strong relationships; purpose and passion; adaptive thinking and problem-solving; self-care and well-being; self-compassion; optimistic outlook; building resilience through play; celebrating educators; and sustaining resilience and moving forward. Interactive tools are throughout, including reflection prompts, resilience assessments, and mindfulness practices.

Supported by data collected across the US, this guide weaves together personal stories and mindfulness, emotional intelligence, neuroscience, and practical strategies. It’s not just theory; rather, it’s a call to action to make teaching a more sustainable career.

Stephanie Letourneau is a veteran public-school educator, college adjunct professor, curriculum developer, and professional development leader with over two decades of experience spanning K–12 and higher education. She currently teaches high school health education while serving as an adjunct professor at Merrimack College, North Andover, MA.