A Heartfelt Story of Holistic Teacher Wellbeing!

 

As many of us are in the belly of report writing season, the narrative surrounding teacher wellbeing is at a critical juncture. It's a complex tale, often misconstrued, resulting in superficial solutions that barely scratch the surface of the real issues at hand. Educators, revered for their dedication, often find themselves burdened by unspoken expectations, pushing themselves beyond limits for their students' sake.

In recent years, the media has latched onto a grim reality that has emerged within school environments, a mental health crisis gripping teaching staff. The blurring of the lines between work hours and personal time has seen mental wellbeing and self-care fall to an unprecedented level. This has led to an alarming surge in teachers seeking counselling and contemplating leaving the profession.

But why is teacher wellbeing so crucial? It's more than a mere buzzword; it's the cornerstone of a thriving educational ecosystem. Happy teachers don't just mean a smile on our faces; it means better performance, healthier and stronger relationships, and success that ripples far beyond our own lives. I have just recently come across the work of Amy Green (2022). One key message I am getting from her is our wellbeing, it's not just for us as teachers, but for the students we nurture and the future we shape. It involves creating new habits and building our capacity, agility and malleability.

As I reflect on the current landscape and read Amy’s work, it becomes evident that our approach to combat burnout and stress has been short-sighted and has not really impacted the vastness of the issue. Reactive measures, while providing temporary relief, fail to address the root cause (Klassen & Tkach, 2022). We're in dire need of a seismic shift that acknowledges and champions the unique needs of educators. Ultimately, when teachers are empowered to prioritise their own wellbeing without the weight of guilt or reservation they add to the wellness of the entire educational community (Green, 2022).

In this blog post, I will endeavour to look at the heart of this issue, exploring the nuances, challenges, and address ideas and strategies that create a pathway to sustainable solutions including some that I have seen been practiced from my wife’s area of expertise from the field of social work. 

Rethinking Wellbeing

Wellbeing extends beyond mere absence of mental health issues. It's cultivating happiness, fulfillment, and resilience (Lyubomirsky, 2008). It involves emotional balance, robustness, and optimal functioning in personal and professional realms (Waters, 2022). It is a holistic state encompassing emotional regulation and the ability to thrive in all aspects of life (Seligman, 2011).

Identifying the gaps in promoting wellbeing requires a comprehensive lens. Many schools have begun journey’s attempting to identify and address this using surveys such as the Voice, Educator Impact, the Quality Teaching Institute. Others have focused on bringing in consultants that educate staff on the hormone exchange in stress management and gratitude programs. Unfortunately, none of these initiatives have fully addressed the issue (Green, 2022).

Acknowledging the psychological toll of teaching is vital, understanding how the profession shapes emotions, identity, and mental health. Recognising the immense energy teachers invest, often beyond contractual hours, is crucial (Eikeland, Hegstad & Skaar, 2022). Balancing this investment without burnout is essential. Fostering a culture that encourages continual self-investment and robust support systems within educational communities is imperative (Skaalvik & Skaalvik, 2007). 

The following self-care strategies are often overlooked but are essential scaffolds to nurturing sustainable teacher wellbeing and mental health of teachers in our demanding profession (Maslach & Leiter, 1997). 

Rational thinking is the tool that helps us navigate the labyrinth of stress by fostering a balanced and objective perspective. When  we are faced with overwhelming workloads or daunting challenges, rational thinking serves as a stabilising force, allowing us to assess situations calmly and make informed decisions. This mitigates stress and prevents it from snowballing into overwhelming anxiety (Ellis, 2000).

The empathetic nature of educators can weigh heavily, absorbing the struggles and emotions of students day in and day out. Cultivating compassion is similar to nurturing emotional resilience, it enables us to extend understanding and support without getting emotionally drained (Cameron & Fredrickson, 2015). This ability to empathise without internalising every emotional wave helps maintain a healthy balance, crucial for sustained mental wellness in the teaching profession.

Gratitude is a potent antidote to the toxicity of negativity. In an environment where challenges are frequent and successes sometimes go unnoticed, practising gratitude shifts the focus from what's lacking to what's present. Which enhances resilience in the face of adversity. By acknowledging and appreciating the small victories, moments of progress, or the support received, we fortify ourselves against the corrosive effects of negativity (Seligman, 2011).

As identified by Abraham Maslow in 1954, belonging is a fundamental human need. It is a cornerstone for combating the isolating nature of the profession. When we feel a sense of belonging within their school community, we are more likely to thrive. It creates a support system and environment where collaboration, understanding, and shared goals are promoted. This sense of belonging provides a buffer against the stress and cultivates an atmosphere where teachers feel valued.

Mindfulness, often oversimplified, serves as a powerful tool in our teacher's toolkit. Integrating mindfulness practices, such as meditation, prayer, spiritual reading, reflective exercises, and self-awareness techniques, engenders a heightened sense of self-awareness and emotional control. By cultivating present-moment awareness, mindfulness practices equip us to navigate the whirlwind of our profession with a greater sense of calm and focus. It's about fostering a deeper understanding of one's thoughts, feelings, and reactions, enabling us to navigate the chaos of lesson planning, student interactions, and administrative duties more effectively by reducing stress and enhancing cognitive abilities  (Cameron & Fredrickson, 2015).

A healthy body is needed for sustained mental and physical health. Proper nutrition, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep are not mere luxuries; they're necessities (Brown, Cox & Eickelberg, 2020). They provide us with the energy and vitality we need to meet the demands of teaching. 

Science consistently shows that being in natural environments significantly benefits our mental health. When we immerse ourselves in nature, stress levels drop, anxiety diminishes, and our overall mood improves. The tranquillity found in natural settings acts as a soothing balm for the mind, providing a much-needed respite from the daily grind (Selhub & Logan, 2012).

Spending time outdoors doesn't just offer mental respite; it also enhances our physical health (Berman, Jonides & Kaplan, 2008). Engaging with nature often means engaging in physical activities like walking, hiking, or simply exploring, which contributes to a healthier lifestyle. The combination of fresh air, physical movement, and exposure to natural elements creates a synergy that positively impacts both our physical and mental wellbeing. 

Nature's inherent beauty captivates our attention in a way that differs from the distractions of urban or indoor settings. This enhanced focus not only allows us to appreciate the beauty around us but also translates into increased productivity and a clearer mind when we return to our daily tasks (Berman, Jonides & Kaplan, 2008). The restorative power of nature on our mental faculties is a testament to its profound impact on our overall wellbeing.

In our tech-centric world, finding equilibrium between digital immersion and nature has become paramount. While digital tools are undeniably essential, an overabundance of screen time has been correlated with heightened stress levels and a decline in mental wellness. Purposeful disconnection from devices offers a chance to re-establish a connection with nature, nurturing a healthier rapport with technology (Seabrook, 2018). 

Establishing clear boundaries and dedicating time to championing a well-rounded approach to wellbeing is the antidote many of us require as we seek a more enriched and harmonious life.

Collectively, these strategies empower and enable us to navigate the complexities of the profession while maintaining strength, focus, and vitality (Green, 2022).

The Road Ahead

As you can see, empowering an educator's wellbeing isn't a one-size-fits-all approach; it's a multifaceted strategy that acknowledges and addresses the complex challenges we as teachers encounter daily (Green, 2022). Whether we are new to the profession or seasoned professional educators, a proactive approach demands an understanding of the inherent pressures in teaching, beyond just the curriculum demands. It's about recognising the emotional toll, psychological strains, and the constant time constraints that significantly impact their overall wellbeing.

One element that is often spoken about is establishing a work-life balance. This often can feel like chasing after the wind due to the all-consuming nature of teaching and can lead to overlooking personal boundaries, resulting in burnout and an imbalanced life. Implementing practices that advocate for a healthy equilibrium between professional commitments and personal life while not easy, it is crucial. By nurturing this balance, we safeguard mental and emotional health, fortifying resilience and ensuring longevity in our careers (Friedman & Greiling, 2009).

To see this type of shift truly take hold, we also need some systemic changes. When schools actively prioritise and champion the wellbeing of their educators, it communicates a profound message (DuBois & Kesten, 2016). It asserts that the health and happiness of teachers are fundamental elements contributing to the institution's overall success. This shift in culture doesn't merely benefit the educators directly involved; it reverberates, impacting the students they teach, creating a more nurturing and supportive learning environment.

In essence, wellbeing demands a comprehensive approach, one that acknowledges their challenges, fosters life balance, cultivates a supportive institutional culture, and encourages the gradual integration of mindfulness practices (Green, 2022). This lays the groundwork for a more resilient, empathetic, and effective educational ecosystem.

Sanctuary Approach

The idea of teacher wellbeing extends beyond surface-level assistance; it's about cultivating a workplace ethos that genuinely emphasises educators' mental and emotional health. Adding to the activities previously mentioned that schools have tried to implement is one model gaining traction within another area of humanities. It is the Sanctuary model stemming from social work. It offers those within education a profound set of strategies that are likely to resonate with us and our broader institutions as it nurtures a culture centred on wellbeing.

Fundamentally, the Sanctuary model presented by the McKillop Institute (n.d. a) goes beyond being a mere workplace initiative; it is a tool that arms individuals with enhanced abilities to navigate adversity and stress effectively. It has been an approach that my wife has been a leading advocate for within her own social work organisation. It involves a reimagination of conflict management and crisis intervention, moving away from reactive approaches toward proactive, compassionate solutions.

A key strength lies in its ability to foster cohesive and healthy communities within the workplace. By instilling values that prioritise safety and wellbeing at every level, it ensures that each member feels supported, respected, and empowered. It doesn't merely acknowledge current challenges but also acknowledges the enduring impact of past adversities on individuals and the organisation.

Operating within four crucial domains; shared knowledge, shared values, shared language, and shared practice, the approach centres on safety as a foundation. These domains cultivate resilience and provide practical tools for handling intricate situations while actively nurturing the wellbeing of staff.

Recognising the pivotal role of emotional intelligence within the organisation, the model equips leaders with the skills to comprehend and navigate emotions effectively. This fosters positive role modelling and encourages the development of well-functioning teams. Leaders embodying emotional intelligence create widespread positive effects, benefiting the entire workforce through their understanding and guidance.

Ultimately, this goes beyond mere implementation of practices; it's about instilling a cultural shift, one that deeply values safety, resilience, and emotional wellbeing at its core.

SELF Framework
In our daily lives, hormones play a significant role in shaping our wellbeing, influencing our emotional states. Oxytocin, often termed the "happy hormone," and cortisol, our body's stress response, hold sway over our emotional balance (Sapolsky, 2004). Psychologists have highlighted our innate capacity to manage these internal factors, thus potentially elevating our wellbeing by adjusting our perception of challenges and stressors (Schneider, Aspinwall, & Nealy, 2002). Utilising frameworks like SELF (McKillop, n.d. b) serves as a powerful tool in altering our mindset.

The SELF Framework encompasses distinct facets crucial for nurturing our mental and emotional health. Safety encompasses various dimensions like physical, psychological, social, cultural, and moral, both within ourselves and within our relationships and environment. Emotional management involves recognizing and regulating the diverse range of emotions triggered by memories, people, or events. Acknowledging and coping with personal losses under the Loss category is vital, acknowledging that change often involves a sense of loss. Lastly, looking towards the Future involves experimenting with new roles and behaviours to ensure personal, professional, and organisational safety while facilitating growth for oneself and others.

This framework functions as a guide, facilitating continuous progression through these four dimensions without stagnation. It prompts questions that stimulate movement and growth within each domain.

Safety-related inquiries encourage introspection regarding how problems impact our sense of safety and what elements have historically provided a sense of safety for us. Questions on Emotional Management provoke contemplation on our emotional responses to problems and the emotions hindering or aiding change.

Loss-focused queries prompt reflection on what needs to be relinquished or released due to the problem's influence and the potential losses incurred from fixating on the issue at hand. Future-oriented questions direct our attention towards desired outcomes, lessons for the future, and the range of options or opportunities available despite the current challenges.

As educators, adopting and incorporating methods such as the SELF Framework into our lives empowers us to navigate the complexities of our professional and personal lives. By utilising these guided questions, we can navigate stress, manage emotions, and shape a more resilient and balanced approach to our daily challenges.

Embracing Change

In the journey towards enhanced educator wellbeing, the paradigm has shifted in the direction of proactive investment as a foundational element from the educator rather than a reactive crisis-driven intervention from the school. Therefore, this means we continually need to be investing in our own emotional and mental support systems. Educational organisations, as a result, need to equip and upskill teachers with tools such as the work of Amy Green, Sanctuary and SELF so that they can navigate challenges adeptly, foster conducive environments, and also effectively guide their students' learning through supportive practices.

The goal of creating supportive practices serves as an investment in the future. By championing wellbeing-centric approaches, we craft a legacy of nurturing environments that future educators inherit, enabling them to effectively mould young minds.

To achieve this nurturing environment, it becomes imperative that we become advocates for our own wellbeing, arming ourselves with adequate tools and support to combat hardship. While working collaboratively to foster educational ecosystems that nurtures holistic development and wellbeing for all. 

Conclusion

In the intricate tapestry of education, the wellbeing of educators holds the pivotal thread. Empowering, supporting, and valuing educators creates a transformative ripple effect, fundamentally shaping the educational ecosystem. This isn't just a fleeting adjustment; it marks a paradigm shift, a steadfast commitment to fostering sustained wellbeing, paving the way for a resilient and brighter educational future.

Teachers' can prioritise their own wellbeing through practices that heighten emotional resilience, amplify focus, and increase their empathetic capacity, crafting an environment conducive to learning and growth.

Beyond individual classrooms, this mindful approach becomes a catalyst within schools. It fosters empathy and support, where students and teachers alike feel acknowledged, understood, and empowered to thrive.

By placing educator wellbeing at the forefront, schools lay the groundwork for a heartfelt and holistic educational approach. It transcends academic excellence, aiming to nurture personal, emotional, character and academic growth. My hope is, it's time to not just survive but thrive. Where there is a shared commitment to a future where wellbeing is the cornerstone of education.

Stay the Course!

References

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• https://www.mackillopinstitute.org.au/resources/sanctuary-self-framework/ 
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