2026
How not to
burn out while
lighting others up
burn out while
lighting others up
about
In April 2026, I was invited as a speaker at an event for teachers of art history, fine arts, design, and literature, organized by the Central University School of Design. My lecture addressed motivation – for both educators and learners – and explored the resource model for contemporary teachers: where to draw strength from in such demanding times.
Project specifics
This was a one‑hour talk on motivation – for an audience of creative educators teaching in colleges and art schools. My goal was twofold: to share practical insights, and to make sure the listeners didn’t lose their motivation to listen. That would have been a bit too ironic, I thought.
Talk structure
There are nuances to both short and long talks. An hour is definitely a long lecture – and a purely narrative approach won’t hold the audience’s attention. So I broke the talk into thematic blocks, introduced my own approach alongside theory and research, and included interactive elements
Visual identity
When I’m invited to speak, one of my first questions is: does the event or the organizing company have a visual identity? I believe in respecting visual consistency. For this presentation, I balanced the Central University presentation guidelines with the specific needs of the talk
Expertise
The organizers invited me, considering my professional background relevant to the topic. And it makes sense – the combination of skills in design, teaching, and methodology isn’t something regular. For me, this diverse background is exactly what helps me achieve strong results in student learning
Process
- 01Clarified the talk topic with the
organizers - 02Prepared the talk script, structured it into thematic blocks
- 03Designed the presentation to support the talk's narrative rhythm
Motivation in education is a complex challenge – whether it’s offline learning, where you’re constantly pushing against the inertia of the system, or online programs, where completion rates are hard to maintain without curator or tutor support. In online education, the conversation usually centers on student motivation. But offline, a different issue is emerging: teachers are running out of steam. And this isn't about pay – it’s about the inner resources you need to keep doing good work.
Outcome
