Christmas is For Giving
As we come to the end of the school year, many people who work in schools start to panic about the gifts they need to buy. Organised people have worked their way through their list and purchased (or even made) thoughtful gifts for loved ones. The rest of us start to think about the gifts we should give once the list of end of year tasks is finally under control (or on break up day – whichever comes sooner!) Christmas can be a stressful time. Often families come together and at times tensions can rise. As I was thinking about Christmas (one of my favourite times of the year), I remembered what I had been told as a kid, that…
Voice the forgotten tool of the trade
Have you found yourself continuously clearing your throat or sounding hoarse and croaky? You may be damaging your tool of the trade as nodules could be forming on your vocal folds. You could easily do damage that could cause you to have to consider a career change. The teaching profession has the highest numbers when it comes to vocal damage, nodules and even surgery followed by rehabilitation and time off. Can you imagine the impact of being voiceless? As a school community we annually do our WHS training where we learn about safe practices to protect us and keep us safe but why are we not taking care of our most important tool of the trade? OUR VOICE! What goes…
Five tips for Managing Technostress
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
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
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…
Being Resilient in Challenging Times
According to the World Health Organisation Icelandic people are amongst the longest living on the planet. On average they make it to over 83 years of age. Despite Iceland being a terrible place to live (food is scarce, winters last for nine months, for a number of days there are only four hours of sunlight and it rains 213 days per year), Icelandic people live more than 13 years longer than the world average. All of that hard living has made them stronger and resilient. They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Best-selling author Eric Barker notes the moments in life that made you better, that make you swell with pride when you think about them, from career…
Who Would Be A Teacher? Special edition
Celebrated in more than 100 countries world-wide, World Teachers’ Day was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1994 to recognise the role of teachers in society. In Australia and New Zealand it is celebrated on the last Friday in October. Who Would Be A Teacher? Teaching can be a thankless task You give your heart, your soul and often ask, In times of frustration, exhaustion and despair, “What other jobs are out there?” Running low on reserves, at the end of each day, Exhausted and with no energy left for play, It can seem impossible to see, Anything you have achieved. ‘Tradies’ must get great satisfaction, A feeling that they are…
How to Have The Energy of a Four Year Old Almost Every Day
What would your life be like if you could welcome almost every day with the resilience and energy of a typical four year old? Where is your energy on the scale? At one end of the scale there is the energy of the typical four-year-old. From morning to night, their boundless energy fills their day with discovery, wonder and learning until they finally come to rest each evening for the purpose of renewal and growth – only to rise again the next day. Under normal circumstances they bound out of bed knowing that waking up means a brand new day. At the other end of the scale, I wonder if you have ever lived or worked with someone who was…
Surviving Report Writing
Report writing time is stressful – fact! It is an additional task to do as well as your usual day-to-day responsibilities as a teacher. It also comes at the end of term when we are most vulnerable. However the stress is to be expected – don’t be surprised. It happens at this time every year! It is important to monitor your self-talk and keep the stress in proportion. It is particularly important to maintain the activities that reduce stress when we are at our most vulnerable. Often the first thing that we stop doing when we add the extra demands at report writing time, is our exercise routine. Taking a break to get some fresh air, raise the pulse and…
Formula For Success – Keep It Simple
Teachers (and other staff who work in schools) are often our own harshest critic. We are often self-critical and can be REALLY tough on ourselves. We can feel like there is always more that can and should be done and it can seem like our work is never ending. The following simple strategies are the formula for success. Which ones do you do well and which ones do you need to add to your repertoire? Live beneath your means. Return everything you borrow. Stop blaming other people. Try not to judge others. Go an entire day without criticizing anyone. Be the first to forgive. Presume that other people mean well and are trying their best. Admit it when you make…
Who Moved the Goal Posts?
To outsiders, working in a school probably seems simple enough! The aim or purpose won’t have appeared to have changed. Schools and staff in schools work towards helping young people learn, achieve their potential and become citizens who contribute to society. The big picture remains the same. However, most who work in schools feel inundated with change. The ‘goal posts’ appear to be constantly moving. This constant state of flux can be stressful, unless people have a way of looking at change that helps them to understand it. I believe Dr Spencer Johnson’s book ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ is essential reading for all who work in schools. The story, a parable about change, involves four interesting mice characters who are…
Mastering the Art of Active Listening
According to Stephen Covey, being a good listener is the fastest way to build trust. Often in schools we are so busy, that we don’t really listen. Mastering these active listening skills can build trust and make our lives easier. Be fully present – Give the other person your full attention. If you have found your attention wandering off, come straight back to your speaker. Listen with your intellect, mind and heart and remain respectful at all times. Most of all, avoid the temptation to think about your response in advance. Avoid jumping to conclusions and making assumptions – Learn to listen ‘cleanly’. This means actively seeking to understand the other person’s point of view without adding your own judgments…