• 76% of stressed teachers report that supporting increasingly complex classroom needs, including classroom management and student behaviour, is a major source of stress.
• 69% of Canadian teachers feel overwhelmed at least once on a weekly basis.
• 52% of teachers experiencing work-related stress have actively considered leaving the teaching profession.

TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canadian educators are facing growing classroom complexity and workload pressures that are fueling stress and driving teachers from the profession, according to new research from Education Perfect.

The third 2026 Canada Teacher Experience Report, in partnership with Angus Reid, reveals interconnected pressures that affect Canadian teachers, highlighting how complex classroom needs and access to resources are directly tied to overall system capacity.

The study emphasizes a clear connection between escalating classroom complexity and the wellbeing pressures facing educators. According to the data:

• 67% report a lack of resources and support as a major contributing factor.
• 64% cite overall workload as a key stressor, outstripping administrative tasks alone (40%).
• 60% of stressed educators have taken a sick or personal day due to stress within the past three months, while 14% have taken an extended leave of absence.

"Teacher wellbeing has become one of the leading conversations in education," says Dr. Tom D'Amico of Education Perfect's Learning Advisory Board. "Supporting teacher wellbeing requires investment in people and the systems that help them focus more of their time and energy on teaching and learning. School boards must step up and implement useful tools to lessen the stressful loads off our teachers."

What Teachers Say Would Help Most

When asked what changes would make the greatest impact on reducing workplace stress, teachers pointed directly to expanding operational capacity:

• 64% of teachers identified additional staffing as a top priority.
• 60% called for reduced workload to manage burnout.
• 41% prioritized access to quality instructional materials.
• 81% of educators believe smaller class sizes would directly improve learning outcomes.

The report concludes that addressing teacher retention requires a multi-faceted approach. While staffing and class size adjustments remain essential, integrated technology platforms can play a vital role in automating routine tasks and streamlining assessment, enabling teachers to quickly gauge student skill level and deliver tailored tools to meet individual learning needs.

About the Education Perfect 2026 Canada Teacher Experience Report
These findings are from an online survey of 300 teachers conducted by Angus Reid Institute between Dec. 9 to 16, 2025. 

About Education Perfect
Education Perfect (EP) is driven by the mission to maximize every student's potential. Developed by and with educators, EP is a comprehensive digital learning, assessment, and analytics platform that supports schools in strengthening teaching and learning for today's classrooms. In Canada, EP serves leading school boards including the Toronto District School Board, Durham District School Board, and the District School Board of Niagara, supporting educators in delivering high-quality, evidence-informed instruction.

The Education Perfect Group, bringing together Education Perfect, Essential Assessment, and EdPotential, supports more than 5,000 primary and secondary schools and over 1.8 million enrolled students worldwide.

SOURCE Education Perfect