Blog – Page 4 – Happy Schools

Wake Up and WIN

May 9, 2024

Most of us wander around in a daze of unconsciousness! Our eyes are open but our brains are not registering what is really happening in our world and how we are shaping it! What would your world be like if you were really aware of what your contribution was to every situation you find yourself in? For example, when I speak at conferences, I say that all communication is in loops. What you do, affects the other person, which in turn affects you and so on. Whenever we interact with somebody who’s behaviour we don’t like, we invariably would like them to change. We all want the OTHER person to change don’t we? But there is little – read NO…

Building Emotional Resilience

May 5, 2024

Stevef

Resilience

“I’ve come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my mood that sets the weather.” This quote from Haim Ginott is a two edged sword. Whilst it can inspire us, it is also a daunting reminder of the impact that we can have each day. Have you noticed that when we are feeling tired or stressed our students’ behaviour often deteriorates? This can create a vicious cycle where we don’t respond as well as we could and their behaviour degenerates further. On those days, it is easy to resent the suggestion that we are the decisive element. Emotional resilience is our ability to maintain an even, consistent and predictable approach. Emotionally resilient people…

What Will YOUR Students Remember?

April 25, 2024

Stevef

Engagement

Think back to who your favourite teacher was when YOU were a student. Now think about WHY you chose that particular teacher. The reason almost invariably comes back to the way that particular teacher made you feel. “I remember a teacher who made me feel welcome, safe and important. She saw something special in me.” Many people comment on how much the teacher cared about them, how they made them feel and how they took a genuine interest in them. How many of YOUR students, when confronted with the same question at some stage in their future, will name you? What will you be remembered for? Participants at a recent workshop said the following about their favourite teachers. “My teacher……

Little Acts of Kindness

April 18, 2024

Stevef

Engagement

One small, thoughtful gesture can make someone else’s day. Print out this list of kindness acts and check off as many as you can this week! Do something special for the staff in the front office at your school. Praise a fellow staff member – be specific about exactly what they did, that you liked and tell them how that made you FEEL. Put a little note in your child or partner’s lunch box, telling them how much you love them. Say “Good morning” to every stranger you see this morning. Write a letter to a child who could use some extra attention. Kids love getting mail. Offer to do duty for a colleague who needs a break. Say “I…

Relationships Are Important in Managing Student Behaviour

April 11, 2024

Stevef

Effectiveness

I’ve often heard the statement ‘students don’t learn from people they don’t like!’ In ‘Kids These Days’, author and psychologist Jody Carrington says, “Kids won’t learn from people who they think don’t like them.” This statement resonates with me and is consistent with behaviour management guru Bill Rogers’ position that the best teachers are warm-demanding. They have that balance where they have the warmth to relate to students but are also demanding and have clear expectations of their students. Teachers who are too warm and want to be every students BFF are unlikely to be respected. However, teachers who are too strict and gruff (They follow the “Don’t smile until Easter” philosophy), are unlikely to engage students. The sweet spot…

Decide Like A General

April 4, 2024

Stevef

Effectiveness

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, where challenges can often feel like battlefronts, the wisdom of military strategy can offer valuable insights. Just as generals must navigate complex terrain, staff in schools must navigate the intricacies of molding young minds and managing educational environments. Here are some key principles borrowed from the world of generals to help guide decision-making in schools: Vision and Mission Like generals, educators must have a clear vision and mission. What are the overarching goals of the school? What values do you want to instill in your students? By defining these objectives, every decision can be aligned with the broader purpose of education. Situational Awareness Generals excel at understanding the battlefield and educators must similarly grasp…

Do You Look After Yourself

March 28, 2024

Stevef

Resilience

Recently I was suffering from “man flu”. Men are always the last to know that they have it. Luckily my gorgeous wife was able to point it out to me. Apparently, “man flu” is when a man has a slight cold but they think it is the end of the world! Now, I am not a believer in “soldiering on”. I believe that when my body is ill I need to rest and let it get better. Consequently, I cancelled several work and social appointments. Now, I could have gone along but it was just not worth it. There was a slight chance I could have infected the person I was meeting (and depending on their air-conditioning system, half of the…

Are You Suffering Decision Fatigue?

March 21, 2024

Stevef

Resilience

Research shows that on average, teachers will make more than 1500 educational decisions every school day. That’s more than four decisions every minute! ‘Decision Fatigue’ is an area currently being researched at Stanford University. Researchers have found that constantly having to make decisions creates fatigue and puts us at risk of making poorer decisions later in the day. As we become more mentally tired, we start acting more impulsively. Author of the book Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength, Roy Baumeister believes that this explains, “Why ordinarily sensible people get angry at colleagues and families, splurge on clothes, buy junk food and can’t resist the dealer’s offer to rustproof their new car. No matter how rational and high-minded you try…

Adrenalin Junkies

March 14, 2024

Stevef

Portfolio

Teachers and other staff in schools often live an action-packed life, typical of the adrenalin junkie. You only know two speeds. You’re either on — full-on — or asleep. The feeling of an adrenalin high is addictive, without realising it you may be trying to be ‘ON’ 100% of the time. You may not be aware that this is how you go through your day. You’re simply moving fast in response to a high-speed life and the expectations of your peers and students. The downside of the adrenalin high is the adrenalin crash! This is the feeling of anti-climax you get when you finish a major project or the restlessness you feel on holidays, the boredom you endure when you…

Fear and How to Do It

March 9, 2024

Stevef

Resilience

A popular saying is ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’. The theme behind the saying is common – if you are scared of something, walk up to it, meet it head on and you may be surprised that it’s not as scary as you thought. Remember the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz? He had no courage – until he found that what he’d been afraid of all his life, wasn’t really frightening at all…and he regained his self-esteem. Fear is like furniture and objects in a dark room. We walk into a dark room and start to bump into obstacles and soon we are anxious and stressed because we don’t know what is in our way. We…