Working in schools can be demanding. More is expected of us than ever before. Increases in accountability, the accelerating pace of change, high expectations from busy, stressed parents and the challenges of working with people all add to the melting pot that is a busy school. It is therefore not surprising that staff morale can…
Are you Unhappy at Work?
Are you one of those people who jump out of bed each day and who enjoy their work so much they can’t wait to get there? According to recent research, about 25% of us really love what we do for a living. Then there are the majority of people, about 56%, who describe themselves as…
The Benefits of Staying In Your Own Lane
In the dynamic and demanding field of education, staff who work in schools are often confronted with various challenges and obstacles that can distract them from their main focus. It is not uncommon for teachers (and other staff who work in schools) to find themselves immersed in the problems and struggles of their colleagues and…
What Makes Us Happy?
What does HAPPINESS mean to you? Would more money make you happier? … more job satisfaction? … more family time? … a new car? … more travel opportunities? What would make you happier? Social and brain scientists have been able to ascertain the things that make us happy – but to get there we need…
Rules of Engagement
Just as there are rules of engagement on the battlefield, there are rules of engagement in the classroom. The fight to get – and keep – students’ attention is the key to effective learning. Here are four rules to keeping students engaged in the learning process. Rule #1: Let Them Think. Learning occurs best when…
The ‘Happy’ Tonic – Your Free Antidote to Stress
AAGHH!!! – stress, frustration, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed….you know the feeling, especially at this time of the year? Stress and anxiety increase your levels of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, within your body. In excess, these hormones dampen your immune system, leaving you exhausted and reducing your capacity to think clearly. Not a great combination! So,…
Outcomes That Count
Feeling pressured by expectations placed on you in the classroom? It’s not just you! We’re in the midst of a stress epidemic and it’s showing up everywhere. So how do we minimise it? It could come down to the questions you ask. Questions worth asking are: ‘How do I sustain myself?’ and then, ‘How do…
Making Teaching More Enjoyable
The number one goal of my work is to share strategies that make teaching that not only more effective and efficient but also enjoyable. When you continually make a series of small positive choices, they eventually become strong, unshakable habits that are an essential part of who you are. Share your authentic self to bring…
5 Fast Mood Boosters
Life in schools is always busy and operates at a hectic pace. There are deadlines to meet and quiet periods are almost non-existent. It’s common to experience short periods of feeling over-whelmed and mildly depressed. The following tips are from Dr Timothy Sharp of the Happiness Institute and author of “100 Ways to Happiness: A…
Happiness is…..?
What does HAPPINESS mean to you? Would more money make you happier, more job satisfaction, more family time, a new car, more travel opportunities? What would make you happier? A Time magazine poll found happiness tended to increase as income rose to $50000 per year but after that money didn’t have a significant effect on…