As much as I loved Term 1, I cannot tell you how happy I am it is the holidays – the emotional labour that comes along with teaching is incredibly taxing. Although I know many jobs (including motherhood) take its toll, I really feel ‘Teacher Tired’ it is a feeling only a teacher will truly know. TeachingContinue reading “drop the ball – go on, I dare you!”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
we can’t force wellbeing – but we can choose it
Gabby Stroud’s essay titled: Compulsory Wellbeing. The Choice between burnout and demoralization has got my mind churning. If you asked me four years ago, I would have applauded any school leader who replaced their Monday staff meeting with a compulsory wellbeing workshop, but now I am not so sure. As an advocate for the wellbeingContinue reading “we can’t force wellbeing – but we can choose it”
happy holidays
Hey beautiful human, With the festive season upon us, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for riding along with me on this journey (even though I am still not entirely sure where I am going…) Come with me as I reflect on my year… 2021 has seen a year like no other! – 3Continue reading “happy holidays”
preparing for the return to school post lockdown
If the idea of returning to school is bringing up a raft of emotions, I promise you, what ever it is you are feeling right now is completely normal. Maybe you are anxious, maybe you are excited, maybe you are scared, or feeling overwhelmed by it all; what ever you feel right now, know thatContinue reading “preparing for the return to school post lockdown”
mental health day
It wasn’t that long ago that I considered the mental health day taboo. I’d hide my stress, overwhelm and declining enjoyment for life behind a fake illness, phoning through to work with a pretend croak in my throat, hiding my true pain because I thought it meant that I was weak – that I wasContinue reading “mental health day”
invisible impact
I woke up this morning to a text message from a past student. He shared with me his success of becoming Head Boy of his high school and wanted to express his gratitude for the impact I had on his life while teaching him in primary school. He reflected on a key moment that, atContinue reading “invisible impact”
An open letter to my son’s teacher
I can’t thank you enough for all the love, care and support you have given my son this year. It’s been no secret that school is not his favourite place to be but you have never wavered in your patience and compassion for my little man. We sat in the sun today, while you watchedContinue reading “An open letter to my son’s teacher”
are you choosing happiness?
I can’t remember where I was when I first heard this, maybe in a movie, a book or even an Instagram post, but it was something like this: Imagine if we could teach our kids to strive for a life filled with happiness, so when someone asks them what they want to be when theyContinue reading “are you choosing happiness?”
Transforming the teacher with coaching
As a teacher I have been appraised and ‘coached’ by senior colleagues, always focusing on improving performance and neglecting the human inside the teacher. Conversations would be framed by the feedback/compliment sandwich; a positive comment, followed by some next steps, and concluded with another positive comment leaving little room for the teacher to reflect onContinue reading “Transforming the teacher with coaching”
the river
She was once an unmoving river.StillSilentStagnant.Laying dormant under an overcast sky.LifelessListlessLost.Drooping trees lined her banks patiently waiting to bloom.But still she sits,UnmovingUnchangingUnaware.Heaviness holds her in place;Blind in the dark.Unaware of her power.Unaware of her heart.Unaware of her soul.Unaware of her light.Then the rains came down,And she weathers the storms.She is brought back to life.Slowly sheContinue reading “the river”