Teachers Make More Minute-by-Minute Decisions Than a Brain Surgeon—Here’s Why

It’s often said that teachers make more decisions per minute than brain surgeons. While it may seem like an exaggeration, research supports the idea that educators operate in an environment requiring constant, split-second choices—often with no second chances.

A study from Education Week estimates that teachers make about 1,500 decisions per school day, averaging three decisions per minute in a typical eight-hour workday. That’s an astounding level of cognitive load, requiring not just expertise in content delivery but also quick thinking, emotional intelligence, and crisis management (Education Week).

The Scope of a Teacher’s Decisions

Unlike many professions where decision-making follows a structured process, teachers operate in an unpredictable and fast-moving environment. Their decisions span multiple categories, including:

• Instructional Choices: What’s the best way to explain this concept? Do I need to re-teach it another way?

• Classroom Management: Who is off task? How do I redirect them without disrupting the lesson?

• Student Engagement: Is this student struggling, or just distracted? How can I bring them back into the discussion?

• Emotional and Social Support: This student looks upset—should I check in now or later? How do I support them without embarrassing them?

• Assessments and Feedback: Should I extend the deadline for this assignment? Is my grading rubric fair?

And all of this happens simultaneously, often for dozens of students at a time.

Brain Surgery vs. Teaching: A Decision-Making Comparison

At first glance, it might seem absurd to compare teaching to brain surgery. However, there’s a key difference:

• Brain surgeons operate in controlled environments. While the stakes are undeniably high, they follow strict protocols, work with a team of specialists, and have time to analyze data before making decisions.

• Teachers, on the other hand, work in dynamic, unpredictable conditions where they must constantly adapt in real time—often making hundreds of split-second decisions without the luxury of a do-over.

While brain surgeons focus on one patient at a time, teachers juggle the needs of 20, 30, or more students simultaneously, each requiring individualized attention and support.

The Toll of Decision Fatigue on Teachers

The sheer volume of decisions teachers make every day leads to decision fatigue, a phenomenon where the ability to make quality decisions declines after a prolonged period of intense decision-making.

It’s no surprise, then, that 44% of K-12 teachers report feeling “always” or “very often” burned out—the highest of any profession surveyed (Cambridge University Press).

How Can Schools Support Teachers?

Recognizing the mental load of teaching is the first step in creating a more sustainable profession. Here are some ways schools and districts can help:

• Reduce unnecessary decisions. Streamlining lesson planning, administrative tasks, and assessment processes can free up teachers’ mental energy for more impactful work.

• Encourage collaborative planning. When teachers share resources and strategies, they reduce the burden of making every decision alone.

• Support professional development. Training in classroom management, trauma-informed teaching, and instructional strategies can help teachers feel more prepared and confident in their decision-making.

• Promote self-care and boundaries. Encouraging teachers to take breaks, set work-life boundaries, and prioritize their mental health can help combat decision fatigue.

Final Thoughts

Teachers don’t just deliver lessons—they navigate complex human interactions, adjust strategies on the fly, and manage an entire classroom ecosystem in real time. Their decision-making workload rivals that of high-stakes professions, yet it often goes unrecognized.

So the next time someone downplays the work of a teacher, remind them: teachers make more decisions per minute than a brain surgeon. And they do it with grace, resilience, and a heart for their students.