In the past year, we have heard over and over again that in order to promote student wellbeing, we need to prioritize teacher wellbeing. If teachers aren’t heard, valued, appreciated, and supported in their own wellbeing how can they be expected to support their students’ wellbeing? This ripples into so many levels: the dynamics of a system tend play out on multiple scales, from the individual to organizational to societal."
~ Mali Bain, WellAhead Provincial Lead
WellAhead and Dr. Nancy Health's team from McGill University conducted literature review on effective approaches for promoting teacher and school staff wellbeing. Here is a brief summary of their big reveals and school-level implementation considerations.
Education experts and researchers continue to emphasize a greater need for school and organizational level support of teacher and school staff wellbeing. Below are some examples of initiatives that have been effectively implemented in schools. Contact me to share other models of inspiring initiatives that promote teacher and staff wellbeing.
Education experts and researchers continue to emphasize a greater need for school and organizational level support of teacher and school staff wellbeing. Below are some examples of initiatives that have been effectively implemented in schools. Contact me to share other models of inspiring initiatives that promote teacher and staff wellbeing.
Establishing a Staff Wellbeing Team: Daniella Lang, Teacher at Brimsdown Primary School in London, UK
Establishing a Staff Wellbeing Team that pushes their voices to their forefront and prioritizes staff happiness is a major factor for the improved student outcomes and high morale at Brimsdown Primary School. When Daniella Lang began teaching at the school, it had been going through troubling times, particularly with the school's Ofsted inspections and ranking. Her initiative in starting the staff wellbeing team led to robust school-wide strategies addressing staff needs, such as reducing workload with a new fast feedback policy and an after school staff club offering free yoga sessions and circuit training once a week. The school also now uses one of their inset days as a "Wellbeing Day" where staff take the day to reflect and just be with themselves. The process of implementing these initiatives and the extraordinary outcomes in reducing staff stress and improving school climate is detailed in Lang's interview with Teacher Magazine. She also offers practical tips for anyone interested in starting a staff wellbeing team in this article with The Guardian. |
Torquay Academy: Whole School Policies and Practices that make Teachers Feel Supported and Effective
Katherine Mortimore of Torquay Academy reflects on what her current school does differently from all other schools she's taught in, which have resulted in overwhelming staff pride in the school and support of the leadership team, staff absences at an all time low, and improved school outcomes. They include:
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Peninsula Grammar: An Integrated Positive Education Department
This Melbourne school ensures whole school social and emotional wellbeing practices and supportive work environments through a designated Positive Education Department. Director of the Department Therese Joyce is not only the resource person for mental health and wellbeing, but she is also responsible for implementing staff and student developments. She centers her approach to staff wellbeing around building positive relationships, a sense of community, and authentic care. In this interview, Joyce discusses some of the initiatives her department has implemented into the school, such as whole school morning tea, a staff only Hands for Community Day, and an employee assistance program and counselling services for staff struggling with mental health issues. She emphasizes that staff wellbeing will always being a work-in-progress and an ongoing commitment to support staff through the ups and downs of the school year. |