ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the risk factors that may promote the development of burnout and compassion fatigue among educators. It focuses on personal attributes associated with greater risk for developing burnout and compassion fatigue. The chapter examines the environmental factors that influence the development of burnout and compassion fatigue. The Adverse Childhood Experience Study (ACES) examined the childhood origins that contribute to many of the nation’s health and social problems. ACES exert a profound effect on one’s personal development and the way in which they perceive and subsequently handle situations arising with the children in their care. Preparation programs do little to address childhood trauma in a formal, organized manner, and trauma courses are rarely included or required as a part of the teacher education curriculum. An environmental factor that influences the development of burnout and compassion fatigue is the quality of available professional support for educators.
