Burnout Is Not a Buzzword, It's a Diagnosis

Burnout Is Not a Buzzword, It's a Diagnosis pulls no punches in exposing what teaching in America really feels like: part stand-up comedy, part survival manual, and part tragic reality show that nobody asked to binge.

Dr. Dana Lebental spent nearly two decades in public education, toggling between roles as teacher, administrator, mentor, and reluctant crisis manager. Along the way, she collected the stories you won't find in glossy brochures or board presentations: grading papers during lockdowns, negotiating with malfunctioning copy machines like they're unionized employees, and carrying a student's baby so the teenager could take her final and graduate.

Through biting sarcasm and unflinching honesty, Dr. Lebental reveals how "well-intentioned" policies collide with the daily chaos of classrooms: overcrowding, endless mandates, and the kind of shortages that make adult diapers a recurring line item. Her message is clear, burnout isn't a buzzword for teachers. It's a full-blown occupational hazard.

This isn't just a memoir. It's a roast of American education, a love letter to the teachers who keep showing up anyway, and a reminder to policymakers that their "student-centered reforms" look a lot different when viewed from the copy room floor. If you've ever taught, survived school, or wondered why your kid's teacher looks like they aged ten years over winter break, this book is for you.