Education Week Feb 4, 2026 by Sarah D. Sparks
Katie Collins is one of the nation’s top teachers. And not long ago, she thought of leaving the classroom.
“I was on a carpet with kids, feeling alone, even though I have so much support at my school and everybody is all in for kids,” said Collins, a 1st grade teacher at Bluff Park Elementary in Hoover, Ala. and one of the finalists for the 2026 National Teacher of the Year award sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers.
Rising stress and struggles with work-life balance can lead to burnout among even the most devoted teachers. This year’s finalists for the top teaching prize called for a broader discussion of those factors.
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