Back to School 2025/26: How to Conquer the Dreaded Adjunct Duty List Without Burning Out

Episode 99

Hey teacher friend — you’re back in school, and guess what’s making its rounds again? Yep… the dreaded adjunct duty list 😬

In Part 2 of our Back-to-School 2025–2026 series, we’re tackling one of the most exhausting parts of a teacher’s year: having to sign up for extra duties you didn’t actually sign up for. From lunch supervision to leading yearbook, organizing graduation, or being “voluntold” to coach a sport, these adjunct duties can quickly turn your week upside down.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. 🙅‍♀️

In this episode, I’ll show you how to strategically approach the adjunct duty list so you can:

✅ Align duties with your passions
✅ Avoid energy-draining commitments
✅ Use your voice (and contracts!) to advocate for better boundaries
✅ Learn to say "yes" with limitations or confidently say "no" without guilt
✅ Shift your mindset from “I have to” ➡️ “I get to”

Plus, I’ll tell you the true story of how I unknowingly gave up YEARS of unpaid extra work… only for someone else to get a stipend and a sub when I finally stepped away. (Yep. That one stung.) 😅

🎯 This isn’t about being difficult — it’s about being intentional. You deserve to feel fulfilled, not frustrated.

🔥 You’ll Also Learn:

Why saying no is actually saying yes to something better
How to reframe the “martyr teacher” mindset
The “Tale of Two Duties”: how one teacher’s dream duty is another’s nightmare (and vice versa)
How to advocate for equitable duty distribution (especially if you're the newbie 🐣)
What to do if you’ve always had the same duty and want OUT
Scripts + mindset tips for negotiating your way to better balance 💬🧠

🎯 Binge These Related Episodes:

🎙️ Ep 2: How to Say No Without Sounding Like a Jerk (And Still Be Student-Focused)
🎙️ Ep 48: How to Say Yes With Limitations and Keep Your Sanity
🎙️ Ep 60: What to Do When Your Class List Feels Totally Unfair
🎙️ Ep 62: Why You Must Double Down on Classroom Management NOW

Back to school special 2025/6 Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries Course is everything you need to thrive in the upcoming school year. LIMITED TIME: Use code BBB27 at checkout for a special discount.

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life?
Check out my signature on-demand self-study course, Balance Your Teacher Life. Complete details here: www.gracestevens.com/balance

📘 My latest (and greatest!) book:
The Empowered Teacher Toolkit
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

My TPT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/grace-stevens-happy-classrooms

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Published on 4 weeks, 1 day ago

Podcast Episode Details

Back to School 2025/26: How to Conquer the Dreaded Adjunct Duty List Without Burning Out