Returning to school as a teacher in 2020 feels like a daunting experience. Not only are we focussing on getting a grip on evolving curricula and assessment, now we also have extra health and safety concerns in order to keep us, our students and families safe during Covid-19. This is uncharted territory for everyone and wellbeing for teachers and students is so important. Luckily there are some things we can do to help cope and manage this stress. We decided to compile this list as a quick source you can use to try out some coping techniques and to provide general information about services that are available for teachers in Ireland to support teacher wellbeing.
1. Employee Assistance Service
The Department of Education provides a service for teachers and their families under the Employee Assistance Service (EAS). This is called “Folláine le Chéile” or “Wellbeing Together”. Karen told me about the EAS two years ago when she was studying to become a Career Guidance Counsellor, and I was so surprised that I had never heard about this service before. Spectrum.Life has the tender for this service. You can sign up here.
The service provides advice for all school staff and members of their family including wellbeing, financial, bereavement and more. An online wellbeing portal and app has been developed to provide videos, blogs and podcasts to provide support. You can access the EAS through a confidential helpline at 1800 411 057 or you can text ‘Hi’ to 087 369 0010 to receive support via SMS/WhatsApp.
2. Talk to Your Lead Worker Representative
Each school now has a Lead Worker Representative (LWR). You may have more than one if you have over 50 staff. The role of the LWR is to collaborate with all staff and school management to assist in the implementation and maintenance of safety procedures to ensure our safety while schools stay open. If you have any concerns or observations regarding Covid-19 in the school, you can bring that to your LWR who will liaise with school management on your behalf. You can find more information on the role of your LWR here.
3. Use resources for distance learning
The reality of school today is that everyone is preparing themselves and their students in case of school closure. We all need to be ready to return to remote teaching and learning, even if it is for a short period of time. Some schools are used to this, while some of us are still learning and taking the first steps.
The PDST has provided resources for us to equip ourselves for the use of digital technologies for teaching and learning. It provides information on the various platforms you may be using, from Microsoft Office to G Suite to Schoology. There are online tutorials to help support online teaching and learning, and how to use digital tools for assessment, which may be beneficial to you even when schools are open. We have found that sometimes the best source of information and ideas are the teachers in our own staffroom, so this is definitely the time to embrace collaboration!
4. Try out Yoga for Teachers!
I absolutely love yoga. I started yoga a few years ago but only did it occasionally. During lockdown I started the Couch to 5k and a friend recommended doing yoga for runners. All my clicking, painful joints stopped clicking and paining me! I feel so relaxed after it, I now can’t wait to get onto the mat every day! I’ve heard it’s a great way to start the day, but nothing could convince me to get up half an hour earlier in the mornings!! So, I generally do yoga when I get home from work.
I highly recommend Yoga with Adriene. She has a yoga video for every ache, pain or situation you could imagine. This Yoga for Teachers video is really good and helps to relax and release all that stress and tension we are holding in our body. She also has yoga for children which might be of interest to you.
5. Try out Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) aims to improve mental health and wellbeing by being aware of your thoughts and behaviours, and how they impact on each other. It encourages you to challenge unhelpful or negative thoughts and behaviours, and teaches you alternatives to improve your wellbeing and enhance coping strategies. There are specialised counsellors who can go through the process of CBT with you.
However, you can also access free CBT services with Aware, a voluntary organisation based in Ireland. They run a face-to-face 6-week programme where you work with a trained facilitator at each session who helps you learn how to better manage everyday stress.
If you prefer to engage with CBT online, Aware also run a Life Skills Online programme for free. There are eight modules which you can work through in your own time from the comfort of home! You will be assigned a supporter who will check in with you once a week for eight weeks to help you and answer any of your questions. You then have access to the material for 12 months so you can check back in if you need to. They run this programme at different times during the year with a limited number of spaces. You can register your interest and receive an email with the next available date.
6. Get Active!
Nothing beats getting outside for some fresh air! Going for a stroll, a walk, a jog, a cycle – whatever tickles your fancy. I always feel so much better after getting out of the house. Sometimes it’s hard to get motivated, so why not arrange to go with a friend or family member? When your preferred activity becomes part of your daily or weekly routine, it becomes the only motivation you need!
There are so many benefits of exercise for our health and wellbeing. The best thing is that it’s free! You don’t need to join a gym or a class, although this might be a good motivator for some. I love heading out for a jog, leaving all technology at home. It’s a great way to clear the mind and de-stress after a hectic day.
7. Stay Connected
It goes without saying that it’s extremely important to stay connected to friends and family. I have found myself staying connected in ways I never did before. Lockdown seemed to open up news ways for people to stay in touch, via Zoom calls or the Houseparty app! I even made a family quiz using Kahoot and bedazzled my family members with something that has become the norm in my teaching! Visiting family members in the garden led to buying a gazebo, fire pit, BBQ grill and an outdoor table and chairs! Being back at school means I bring a higher risk to vulnerable family members, so I recently bought a huge tent which I use for glamping in the garden when I visit home! It’s amazing the ways we find ourselves adapting these days.
8. Join a Teacher Group
There are so many websites out there with resources for teaching. I know I use Tes.co.uk regularly along with subject specific pages on Facebook. I find the subject specific pages on Facebook really helpful as, not only do we all share resources to make life a little easier, we share our concerns and worries and there is always someone to give a few tips. I recently joined a Facebook page called Educators’ Stress Support which supports teacher wellbeing, gives good tips on managing stress and keeps teachers up-to-date on the latest Health guidelines.
The post 8 Ways to Support Wellbeing for Teachers in 2020 appeared first on Intrepid Lassies.
