Many teachers are tempted to take on too much at school, but setting healthy boundaries is essential for making the work sustainable, writes Alex Shevrin Venet (unconditionallearning), a community college teacher. "Boundaries are how we protect ourselves and others, and how we stay centered in our roles. They are one of the best ways to combat burnout," she writes. Here’s how to say no to colleagues and students in respectful ways: Just say it: Saying no can mean literally saying "no" to a task, Venet says, but try using the opportunity to clarify your role or add context. With colleagues, you might say: "No, I can’t take that on right now," communicating that you've reached your workload limit. Saying "My current role focuses on …. I don’t have room on my plate for that," clarifies your role and provides context for the boundary. With a student, a simple "No, I can't have kids in my room for lunch today," sets a clear limit students can understand. Take a pause: Slowing down t...