Empowering Teachers, Elevating Education: Rae Hughart’s Movement Against Burnout

How Small, Intentional Steps and Community Support Are Transforming the Teaching Experience

The Weight on Educators' Shoulders

I’ve always believed teaching is one of the noblest callings. It’s not just a job—it’s a mission that demands heart, skill, and resilience. But let’s be honest: the demands on teachers today are heavier than ever. Between lesson planning, student needs, administrative tasks, and constant communication, many educators are burning out before they even get a chance to shine.

On a recent episode of the Generation Youth Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Rae Hughart—CEO and founder of the Teachers Deserve It movement. Our conversation wasn’t just about naming the problem; it was about uncovering real, practical solutions that help teachers reclaim their time, rediscover their joy, and stay rooted in their passion for teaching.

The Roots of Burnout: More Than Just Workload

Rae shared something that really stuck with me:

“There are a hundred things you can choose to be better at this year. Choose three. Let’s make it super intentional, teeny tiny goals, and let’s just frequently talk about it and make it a little bit better.”

The truth is, burnout isn’t only about long hours. It’s about the sheer weight of competing demands that leave teachers with little space to do what they love most—connecting with students. What struck me in our conversation is how Rae takes a refreshing approach. Instead of overwhelming educators with more to-dos, she invites them to focus on less—but do it with greater intentionality.

Building a Movement: Teachers Deserve It

Rae’s mission is clear and powerful: to reach a million teachers with strategies that help them win back time and energy. Not in massive leaps, but in small, meaningful steps.

She put it this way: “Could you imagine if you had an extra two hours a week?”

Think about that. Two hours to invest back into family, personal rest, or even creative lesson planning. Those little wins stack up in ways that can completely change how teachers experience their day-to-day lives.

Through Teachers Deserve It (teachersdeserveit.com ), Rae and her team provide short, actionable tools—sometimes just 20-minute resources—that zero in on everyday frustrations, from email overload to commuting stress. And she doesn’t expect teachers to use everything. In fact, she encourages them to “throw out 90% of it” and just grab the one solution that fits their world.

That, to me, is genius. It’s not about theory. It’s about transformation through simplicity.

Collaboration Over Competition: Breaking Down Silos

Another point Rae made that I couldn’t agree with more: education is not meant to be a solo journey. Too often, teachers and administrators work in silos, missing the richness that comes from sharing experiences.

Unlike other industries that thrive on competition, education flourishes through collaboration. Teachers Deserve It brings together not just teachers, but paraprofessionals, administrators, and leaders at every level. Everyone has unique challenges, and everyone needs a safe place to find support and encouragement.

It reminded me that when educators come together, innovation follows. And more importantly, hope grows.

Action Over Theory: Practical, Individualized Solutions

What I love about Rae’s approach is its practicality. She isn’t saying, “Here’s the perfect system.” She’s saying, “Here’s a toolbox. Pick what works for you.”

Whether it’s something as small as reorganizing how you carry your coffee and bags into the classroom or as significant as rethinking your daily workflow, the emphasis is on choice. Rae even encourages educators to be picky: identify the exact things that add stress, and then tackle them one by one.

That kind of individualized empowerment is what makes this movement so different—and so effective.

A Call to Join the Movement

Rae left us with a reminder I want to echo here: if you’re in education and you care about making your work more sustainable and joyful, you’re already part of this movement. You may not have tapped into all the resources yet, but the heart of Teachers Deserve It is about creating community, sharing solutions, and helping educators not just survive, but thrive.

New content creators are joining, fresh tools are being developed, and every voice is helping to shape the future of the profession.

Final Thoughts

The future of education doesn’t rest only on passionate teachers—it depends on creating systems and communities that sustain that passion. Through small, intentional changes and genuine collaboration, educators can reclaim joy, efficiency, and resilience.

Sometimes the most powerful transformations don’t come from massive overhauls but from choosing three intentional goals—and sticking with them.

To learn more or get involved, visit teachersdeserveit.com .

Because at the end of the day, teachers don’t just deserve a thank-you. They deserve the tools and support to keep doing what they love—changing lives.  To see the full interview go to: https://youtu.be/rV3ec4iyJZI