Teacher Burnout Scale

This instrument measures the symptoms of teacher burnout. Burnout can lead to very aberrant behavior on the part of teachers-including resignation, emotional outbursts, and other apparently irrational behaviors. Expected alpha reliability estimates for this instrument are above .85. Face validity is good.

Directions: Complete the following measure and calculate your score. This measure is designed to determine how you currently feel about your job and its related aspects. There are no right or wrong answers. Work quickly and circle your first impression. Please indicate the degree to which each statement applies to you by marking whether you:

Strongly Disagree = 1; Disagree = 2; Neutral =3; Agree =4; Strongly Agree = 5

_____1. I am bored with my job.

_____2. I am tired of my students.

_____3. I am weary with all of my job responsibilities.

_____4. My job doesn't excite me any more.

_____5. I dislike going to my job.

_____6. I feel alienated at work.

_____7. I feel frustrated at work.

_____8. I avoid communication with students.

_____9. I avoid communication with my colleagues.

_____10. I communicate in a hostile manner at work.

_____11. I feel ill at work.

_____12. I think about calling my students ugly names.

_____13. I avoid looking at my students.

_____14. My students make me sick.

_____15. I feel sick to my stomach when I think about work.

_____16. I wish people would leave me alone at work.

_____17. I dread going to school.

_____18. I am apathetic about my job.

_____19. I feel stressed at work.

_____20. I have problems concentrating at work.

SCORING: Add all scores together. No items are to be reflected.

Interpretations: Below 36 indicates few burnout feelings; 36-55 indicates some strong feelings of burnout; but probably not a serious problem; 56-70 indicates substantial burnout feelings, enough that getting some help is suggested; and 71-80 indicate the individual is experiencing severe burnout.

Source:

Richmond, V. P., Wrench, J. S., & Gorham, J. (2001). Communication, affect, and learning in the classroom. Acton, MA: Tapestry Press.