March 2022 – Happy Schools

Survival Hacks for Teachers -Part 2

March 31, 2022

This is the second part of Gabbie Stroud’s summary of a recent webinar she delivered titled “How Am I Going to Last the Year? Survival Hacks for Teachers”. Hack seven: Get professional help If you’ve found yourself wishing for ‘a touch of Covid’ so you could have a week off work, your head’s not in a great place (even though it’s an understandable thought). See a psychologist to talk through your feelings. A psychologist is better than a friend because they can offer objective opinions, possible solutions and you don’t have to listen to their problems! It can be hard to get in to see a professional but it’s worth the effort. Start by seeing your doctor and requesting a…

Survival Hacks for Teachers -Part 1

March 24, 2022

Stevef

Resilience

If you’re already feeling burnt out, demoralised and exhausted (and it’s not even Term 2), you must remember that ‘it’s not you’ or something you did or didn’t do. The education system is currently overloaded and expecting more from teachers that can ever be delivered. It’s not you – it’s the system! This is a two part summary of Gabbie’s recent webinar titled “How Am I Going to Last the Year? Survival Hacks for Teachers”. Remember also that this advice is ‘teacher to teacher’ and is not based on research but on Gabbie’s lived experience of trying to survive the last two years of her teaching career. Hack One: Have a “work binge” Pick a night or a couple of…

Who’s Managing Your Mojo?

March 17, 2022

Stevef

Resilience

Cambridge Dictionary defines ‘mojo’ as a quality that attracts people to you and makes you successful and full of energy. When you have your mojo you have self-confidence, self-esteem and self-efficacy. Having your mojo is therefore very important. Once it is lost it can take some work to rediscover. Whilst we all know what we SHOULD be doing to look after ourselves, having someone keep us accountable for the decisions we make, can help. We’ve recently nominated Sam, a colleague, the role of Mojo Manager for our team. The role involves regularly asking our merry little band questions to discover just how merry we are. Questions like: How are your stress levels, out of ten? How much exercise have you…

To CC or Not to CC: Managing Email in Schools

March 10, 2022

Stevef

Communication

Email was intended to be a fantastic means of easy, two way communication. However, it has inherent weaknesses that need to be considered, especially in schools. One of the key benefits of email SHOULD be that the messages are there waiting for you when YOU have time to look at them. Email was intended to reduce the number interruptions into your day eg phone calls, intercom, visitors to your door with notes etc. To attain this benefit, email alerts need to be switched off or the arrival of an email WILL interrupt you. Be aware that email is addictive. Most users check their email numerous times each day. This distracts their focus (even briefly) from the activity they are currently…

Real World Classroom Management

March 3, 2022

Stevef

Effectiveness

Good classroom management is essential. Here are some ideas for you to reflect on how you manage behaviour from US Principal, Lisa Brumfield on The Principal’s Desk. Be succinct in your instructions. Most students can follow two-step directions at best. With this in mind, limit multiple requests. For example, if you say…“ I need all of you to take out your book and put them on my desk, put your homework in the red tray, put your journal in the blue basket, place your excursion form on my desk, sign in your attendance, choose a book and sit at your desk” you will be lucky if you see any homework in that red tray. Keep redirections short. Good Example: “Jacob…