Great suggestion - I am enjoying following Hywel Roberts' work. Another one to add to the list! Thank you for sharing.
What an excellent subject area to write about. I hope you enjoy the writing experience and I am looking forward to hearing about the release date for your book!
In my experience, some of the teachers who are very keen to be a different person entirely between home and school are often pushing away the most valuable bits of being an educator. They are left just delivering their schools’ ‘non-negotiables’ and crawling their way to the holidays, without having found the most meaningful, self-affirming and joyful bits in the craft of educating.
It’s a balance, and teachers shouldn’t be expected to give their whole lives to the job. But I think everyone benefits when people live rich lives through and with their teaching.
Happy to have found Substack and your writing over the last fortnight. Have a great break.
I agree Laura, when I give myself time to read about education, it re-ignites the creative bit of me and I forget how much I've missed finding out new things and getting new ideas. The trouble is that I think it's really hard to make time to do this when you are just getting by each day, as so many of us often are, in our work and personal lives. I always think how great it would be if, on an inset day or something, you were just given a couple of hours to go and have a read about something of your choice and get inspired again! To be given permission to do this thing that sometimes feels like a luxury would be lovely!
You're absolutely right, Helen. It can be more easily said than done. I love your idea about the dedicated Inset Day/Staff Meeting. This would also really demonstrate trust from Senior Leaders, which is always valued by staff. I have written a post about 'Pragmatic Professional Development' which you may be interested in here:
I’m reading ‘Botheredness’ by Hywel Roberts and am doing some book-writing of my own all about school trips.
Great suggestion - I am enjoying following Hywel Roberts' work. Another one to add to the list! Thank you for sharing.
What an excellent subject area to write about. I hope you enjoy the writing experience and I am looking forward to hearing about the release date for your book!
I’m with you on the work-life balance, Laura.
In my experience, some of the teachers who are very keen to be a different person entirely between home and school are often pushing away the most valuable bits of being an educator. They are left just delivering their schools’ ‘non-negotiables’ and crawling their way to the holidays, without having found the most meaningful, self-affirming and joyful bits in the craft of educating.
It’s a balance, and teachers shouldn’t be expected to give their whole lives to the job. But I think everyone benefits when people live rich lives through and with their teaching.
Happy to have found Substack and your writing over the last fortnight. Have a great break.
What an excellent way of phrasing it - and so true. The evolution of an educator has so much more value when it is self-motivated.
Right back at you, I am learning a lot from your posts and the creative work that you do. Wishing you a wonderful break also :)
Great list of recommendations Laura. I absolutely love a podcast, so I'll be immediately jumping onto them, thank you.
I hope you've had a great Christmas break.
Beautifully balanced post Laura and thank you for sharing these great posts, podcasts etc
Thanks for this list!!
You're welcome :)
I agree Laura, when I give myself time to read about education, it re-ignites the creative bit of me and I forget how much I've missed finding out new things and getting new ideas. The trouble is that I think it's really hard to make time to do this when you are just getting by each day, as so many of us often are, in our work and personal lives. I always think how great it would be if, on an inset day or something, you were just given a couple of hours to go and have a read about something of your choice and get inspired again! To be given permission to do this thing that sometimes feels like a luxury would be lovely!
You're absolutely right, Helen. It can be more easily said than done. I love your idea about the dedicated Inset Day/Staff Meeting. This would also really demonstrate trust from Senior Leaders, which is always valued by staff. I have written a post about 'Pragmatic Professional Development' which you may be interested in here:
https://lauraspargo.substack.com/p/pragmatic-professional-development?r=4cvlkw
Thank you for sharing your valuable insights. :)