Working in schools can be tough and seems to be getting even more challenging. Each year things seem to get tougher! Changes in the curriculum, increased accountability, demanding or absent parents, poor student behaviour, changes in society, tightening budgets and a push to do more with less all contribute to increased pressure in schools. We…
Can Optimism Change Reality
Educators have long been aware of self-fulfilling prophecies. Recent research on brain activity from Dr Tali Sharot’s book ‘The Optimism Bias’, clearly illustrates why our expectations of our students are so important. The problem with pessimistic expectations, such as those of the clinically depressed, is that they have the power to alter the future; negative…
The Toxic Staffroom
What I am about to discuss here occurs in many staffrooms that I have worked in. You have been at work a few hours and it is time to head to the staffroom for lunch. Let us say that it is Monday morning and everyone wishes it was Friday. I have been here a few…
Play to YOUR Strengths!
We all have strengths, even people who seem to have more than their fair share of personal flaws. But there is a negativity bias that most people have where we tend to be more aware of our own and others’ weaknesses. It has been suggested that this bias towards noticing what is wrong has helped…
Is Stress a Necessary Evil?
Working in schools just seems to get busier! Quiet times in schools no longer exist (I’m not sure they ever really did!) There are always a lot of things to be done, new initiatives and procedures to implement and demands on limited time and resources. It therefore isn’t surprising that staff in schools commonly experience…
Less Stress Behaviour Management
Student behaviour can add a layer of complexity to the school environment. At times students can be unpredictable, even irrational. It is this unpredictable nature that adds to our stress levels. If only they’d behave the way that we want them to! Ultimately we can’t control anybody else’s behaviour, only our own. Behaviour management plans…
Why are relationships so important?
Relationships serve our survival: There is no doubt that human beings are social animals. Our ability to support and provide for each other has ensured our survival as a species. In families that function well, they protect and help children become the best they can be and provide and support for each other. Even at…
Developing a Growth Mindset
Dear Teachers Your students do have natural talent, abilities and intelligence in some areas but that’s not the end of the story. These things are not fixed traits. Some may have a gift for story writing, art, maths or sport, but it needs to be grown. Some may not be good at science, history or…
Excel Text to Columns
Many of the day to day activities and decisions in schools rely heavily on data in Microsoft Excel. Like a cave with secret passages, in Excel there are lots of hidden ways to fast track things you do regularly, you just need to know the ones you need when you need them! When I present…
5 Top Tips for Lowering Stress
Working in schools can be very rewarding but it also can be stressful and demanding. The following 5 tips can help to lower stress at times when you feel under pressure. Choose a positive attitude – our attitude has a HUGE impact on our stress levels and our effectiveness each day. It is vital to…
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