By Dr. Donita Grissom

If you ask a teacher why they chose this profession, most will tell you about their passion for making a difference, inspiring young minds, and fostering a love of learning. But if you ask them why they’ve considered leaving, the answer often boils down to perhaps this: burnout.

I’ve worked with teachers across the country and internationally, and I’ve seen firsthand how stress, overwhelm, and a lack of support can take a toll on even the most dedicated educators. What breaks my heart is that many teachers don’t just feel tired—they feel hopeless. And when hope starts to fade, so does the joy of teaching.

The Turning Point

I realized that teachers don’t just need more strategies, resources, or professional development. They need hope—real, tangible hope that fuels their purpose, strengthens their resilience, and helps them navigate the daily challenges of the classroom. I saw too many talented educators questioning whether they could keep going, wondering if they were truly making a difference, and struggling to hold onto the passion that once led them into this career.

That’s when I knew I had to do something.

Understanding Hope in Education

Hope isn’t just wishful thinking. It’s a powerful, research-backed framework that can transform the way teachers approach challenges. Hope consists of three key elements:

1. A Clear Goal – Knowing what you want to achieve.

2. Pathways Thinking – Finding strategies and alternative routes to reach that goal.

3. Agency Thinking – Believing you have the ability to make it happen.

When teachers operate with high levels of hope, they don’t just survive—they thrive. They find solutions, inspire their students, and create a positive, resilient classroom environment.

My Mission: Restoring Hope for Educators

That’s why decided to write High Five to Thrive with my author/friends—to provide a simple, practical roadmap to help teachers reignite their passion, overcome challenges, and experience joy in their careers again. I wanted to give teachers real tools to strengthen their hope levels, shift their mindsets, and reconnect with the purpose that brought them into education in the first place.

Through this work in keynote speeches, workshops and webinars, I’ve witnessed teachers transform their stress into strength. I’ve heard stories of educators who went from feeling defeated to rediscovering their love for teaching. I’ve witnessed the ripple effect—when teachers regain hope, their students, colleagues, and even schools benefit.

The Journey Continues

Helping teachers with their hope levels isn’t just a passion project for me; it’s a mission. Every time I hear from an educator who has found renewed energy and purpose, I’m reminded why this work matters. Because when teachers have hope, they don’t just stay—they inspire, they innovate, and they create lasting change.

If you’re a teacher feeling overwhelmed, I want you to know: Hope is not lost. You have the power to rebuild it. We at Best Questers are here to help.

Let’s keep hope alive—one teacher, one classroom, one school at a time.