November 2021 – Happy Schools

Five tips for Managing Technostress

November 25, 2021

When I started teaching, I found it surprisingly difficult to use technology in my lessons, and I was the tech guy. I found this situation stressful because:- – The tech was unreliable and didn’t work as planned – I wasn’t that good at using the tech as a learning tool I developed imposter syndrome as a result of these stressors. Imposter syndrome is loosely described as doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud. In your mind you start thinking, people are going to find out that I don’t REALLY know what I am talking about. It is common in schools and it affects teachers and leaders too! It seems that everyone that comes to use technology in teaching has…

Remaining Positive When Others Are Stressed

November 18, 2021

Stevef

Resilience

Have you ever noticed that some people are able to maintain their positivity, even in stressful situations, whereas others do the opposite? Why is this? Positive co-workers have the right attitude. They realise that although others can act in ways that help to make us stressed or happy, ultimately our happiness is determined by the choices we make. They don’t expect perfection from themselves, their colleagues or their workplace. It is OK to have a bad day or two. But a bad week or month is not so good. Positive people also appreciate that their happiness is not determined by the absence of challenging circumstances at work. Putting off your happiness until circumstances are better is not the answer. If…

A Word for Stressful Times

November 4, 2021

Stevef

Resilience

When I started teaching high school in 1979, my Principal Glynn Watkins asked all the teachers to consider our philosophy, for teaching and for life. Even though we never used the word mentor in the 1970ʼs and 80ʼs, in 2008 when I attended Glynnʼs funeral, I realised that he was my number one mentor. On reflection I learnt the importance of having someone you can talk with about your philosophy. What is your philosophy? What is your personal set of views and theories – as an educator and as a person? How does this philosophy shine in all elements of what you do? In times of stress and real challenge, remember to return to your philosophy, the reason…