Engagement

Sadly many in the community only see the “9 to 3” part of the day in which teachers (and other staff in schools) work. They don’t see the myriad of other commitments that school staff make. Everyone thinks they know what teachers and staff in schools do – after all everybody went to school, as a student! However we all know working in schools is far more than 9 to 3! Working in schools means waking in the middle of the night and worrying about the real reason ‘Billy was upset today!’ Working in schools means staying late to coach a team Working in schools means going on camp and sleeping with one eye open waiting for someone who needs…

The stress of working in schools is widely recognised. Numerous studies in Australia and overseas have addressed its causes. Teachers are leaving our profession in increasing numbers and a high proportion of those who remain in the job freely admit their dissatisfaction and distress. This not only causes concern for the well being of the teachers themselves but also the educational well being of students. Why is working in schools so stressful? Jobs that bear a large amount of responsibility for the welfare of others are more stressful Staff in schools deal with a wide array of personalities and cater for a wide range of educational and human needs Students often rely on staff in schools for stability and support…

‘Decide what your brilliant, balanced life looks like, and plan to live it.’ As educators, we are well aware of the need to encourage good values in our students. But how many of us actually take the time to consider our own personal values? Your values, of course, clarify what’s important to you. They drive the way you live your life. Successful teachers know what their own personal values are and make sure they live their life by them. However, in the hustle and bustle and busyness of school life, personal values can sometimes be neglected. For example, if one of your personal values is to ‘have fun’, and you are not having any, your life will soon be out…

Have you been through a tough period lately? Too much to do and not enough time? Feeling a bit low on energy but not sure what to do about it? What you need is a F.R.E.S.H. approach to work. It starts with understanding where you sit on the engagement matrix: Green – When most people start a new job (even if they have prior experience elsewhere) they have lots of enthusiasm but may lack the skills to do the job. Keen – As they develop their skills they move towards the ideal combination of ability and enthusiasm . . I like my job and I know how to do it. Mean – They still have the skills to do the…

In today’s economic climate, there are an ever increasing amount of responsibilities and social pressures which can often lead to feelings of stress. To help manage these situations below is a quick DESTRESS strategy for you: D – Do the ‘Urgent AND Important’ things first Prioritise those things that are not just urgent, but also important. Things that seem ‘urgent’ but really won’t impact your day are often the things that keep you ‘busy’ rather than ‘productive’. E – Exercise every day The body can deal with stress effectively as long as it is dealt with quickly. How? By exercising! Aim for at least 15 minutes every day. S – Stop and think about your health During stressful times our…

We all know the story of the 10 commandments. Recently I was inspired to reflect on my own personal commandments and how they influence my life. Through reflecting on our personal values we can all contribute to the world being a better place. Be here now – Being present, fully awake and focused on what is occurring at the moment enables you to respond most resourcefully to what is happening. Breathe – By consciously breathing deeply and fully and becoming aware of your natural breath, you will maintain your self-awareness and ability to flow with life. You also lower your stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, when you breathe deeply. Listen to your intuition – By listening to your inner voice,…