On the eve of starting as an 11th-grade English teacher at Huntsville High School, the author felt overwhelmed and terrified, not by the students, but by the emotional investment in their success. Despite initial dreams of inspiring students, the harsh realities of teaching quickly set in, including the tragic loss of a student to gun violence and another diagnosed with cancer. As the school year progressed, the author experienced intense stress and sleeplessness, attributed to the demanding nature of teaching and personal life changes, including a pregnant wife and relocation. A mentor, Kelly, identified this as “teacher brain,” a state of constant mental overload.
https://www.yourtango.com/self/left-students-middle-day-couldnt-handle-teaching
