Supporting the Adult: Managing Burnout in the Montessori Classroom

About this presentation

Montessori teachers give so much of themselves to their students, their families, and their communities, and it’s easy to let your own well-being be the last priority. Join psychotherapist and former Montessori school counselor Jessica Kwerel, for an accessible, practical session on burnout, drawing on research and professional experience supporting teachers in this experience. Together we’ll explore what burnout really is, why educators in mission-driven environments are especially vulnerable, and develop practical tools for setting better boundaries to protect your energy and well-being. Participants will leave with strategies they can use right away and time to ask questions in an open Q&A.

Presenter

Jessica Kwerel

Jessica Kwerel (pronounced “Kwer-rel”) is a licensed professional counselor with almost 20 years of experience supporting children, teens, college-bound students, and their families from many different backgrounds. She spent 13 years as the school counselor at Aidan Montessori School, so she knows firsthand the demands (and joys!) of the Montessori classroom and community. She has also served as a school-based psychotherapist at The Lab School of Washington and provided school counseling consultation to Butler Montessori School. Today, Jessica is in solo private practice, where she helps parents support their children in navigating emotional regulation, anxiety, school and social media stress, neurodivergence, friendships, family relationships, and more. She is licensed in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, is a National Board Certified Counselor, and is a Board Approved Clinical Supervisor, guiding new therapists toward independent licensure. Through her other practice, Pet Loss DC, Jessica also supports people grieving the loss of a beloved animal companion. Learn more (opens in a new tab)