30+ years here and about year 20 had very similar thoughts. I do wonder how much of what you (probably many) are feeling is a result of the changing environment of public education. Expected to do more, more, more with less. With that said - I do believe Texas is a great state to teach band and we have more support here than most places (not all places).

More importantly, similar to other posts - the most helpful thing to me over 13 years ago now - was a mind shift - and the shift was teaching was part of my life but not my whole life. It is very easy for us to make our entire existence about being a band director. Suggestion - next week or longer break - take some time to take a deep dive into yourself - about your family, (faith), lifestyle, hobbies, etc Reevaluate sectional and rehearsal schedules and make sure you are not taking work home with you - or not working at home most days - in other words - work while at work - be home while at home. I know for me this was a very hard change - and honestly I still struggle with it, but it did make a positive impact on my life.

Another shift that a mentor suggested and has worked for me - is the shift from I have to go teach band today to I GET to go teach band today. It really is a mind shift - and with it make the decision to not complain / be around folks that complain all the time. I just started walking out of a room when other teachers were complaining and made sure I was happy in what I could control. Since that time, I have regained the joy of teaching music to students.

Just one pretty old guys opinion and suggestions... I wish you the very best.

History doesn't usually repeat itself, but it does often rhyme as at the end of year 17 of my teaching career here in Texas I started feeling like what you described. It started feeling like burnout, even though I had a good position teaching middle school band in a nice suburban school district setting.

During year 17 I started looking at other teaching options as I knew I wanted to stay in teaching. So I started applying for positions in other countries and after 2 years I landed one in an American school in East Asia but teaching elementary school music instead of band. It turned out to be exactly what I needed, as a change of pace by literally leaving the state and the country was fabulous. I signed a 2-year contract over there and afterward I returned to Texas to teach middle school band and made it all the way to the end of 35 years of teaching successfully and I really enjoyed most of it.

My subsequent teaching positions here didn't change much, but I changed. That made all the difference. I also didn't let my jobs define me and there was always a life outside the band hall. I made sure that I had other things "to retire to". It worked well.

I highly recommend considering a drastic change of pace, location, teaching assignment, etc. as for me that worked wonders and doing something that drastic honestly gives you a new perspective on everything career-wise.

As a side note, I returned to Texas mainly because of the Texas Teacher Retirement System as I knew it was best for me to return here to finish my career in the Texas system. I've now been retired for 10 years and life's great. (I also made sure I got vested in Social Security through outside work during my career). I'm still playing music and teaching on the side now and then and retirement has been nice and generally easy.

You might consider making some sort of drastic change too, be it a different location, different position, different field, etc. I highly recommend it. I know it worked for me and I'd do it all over again if I had to.

No, you are not alone. This is year 25 for me and it is all I can do each morning to force myself out of bed and come to work. In my case I am tired of the learned helplessness that has been instilled in the students that I see. I actually have 6th graders, more than one, that still do not know their left hand from right hand. I wish I was being sarcastic but I am not. Another thing that is driving me insane is that everything is about feelings now... Good Grief.