In this episode of the “Ed Tech Hour” podcast from The Chicago School, Nadia Iftekhar, Ed.D., discusses the connection between educational technology and teacher burnout. Drawing from her experience as a teacher and administrator, Dr. Iftekhar explains how the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated technology adoption and intensified challenges related to teacher well-being, emotional exhaustion, and increasing student needs.
The conversation highlights how poorly implemented classroom tools, inadequate teacher training, and administrative pressure contribute to stress and attrition. Dr. Iftekhar argues that teachers should lead decisions around educational technology and that successful implementation requires ongoing, teacher-centered support.
The episode also explores AI in education, emphasizing the ethical use of AI as a support tool rather than a replacement for teachers. Dr. Iftekhar praises accessibility features and universal design for learning as examples of positive educational innovation that can reduce workload and improve learning outcomes for both students and educators.