Coach, Commitment, Community.

Valuing our own journey as educators - because we are worth it.

Photo by Alonso Reyes on Unsplash

Thoughts and musings

How many times have you championed that child in the class who has a clear talent for singing? Clapped with great enthusiasm for the pupil who is sharing their trophy from their go-kart race at the weekend? Encouraged a student who thinks they might want to sign-up to the netball club but they felt a little nervous? As educators we value the whole-child. We support our pupils in identifying their individual talents and we nurture their progress. We tell them they can do anything which they set their minds to and we observe the magic as they begin to weave their future dreams.

I now want you to consider how often you do this for yourself. I have spoken before about finding balance¹ and the importance of prioritising physical and emotional health and wellbeing. Today, I would like to discuss applying this commitment to valuing the journey of development which comes with being an educator.

The timing of this point of discussion came to me for two reasons. Firstly, I was inspired by listening to another enlightening podcast featuring Jay Shetty, much of which has provided the structure for my thoughts and musings today. The second links to the time of year. As we approach the end of January, and the first month of the new calendar year comes to an end, the academic calendar is in full swing! Recruitment for many International School posts, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, will begin to slow as the Spring Term passes. For Europe, these opportunities will increase. Many educators at this time of year may be wondering, what next?

Over my 16 years in education, I have been lucky enough to experience working full-time in 6 schools spanning 3 countries. I am a firm believer in taking new opportunities if they align with your ethos and values. I also understand that it isn’t always so simple to move schools (or location for that matter). There can be a feeling of unrest at this time of year, as colleagues start to discuss new job posts or the prospect of moving Year Groups. Roles of additional responsibility may also arise, some existing, some perhaps created to respond to the needs of the next academic year. An abundance of emotions may surface during this time, ranging from feeling doubtful and unsure to excited and motivated.

This post isn’t intended, however, to advocate either way - for remaining in your current role or for taking the leap into something new. Instead, I hope this provides a tool of reference points to consider (and possibly self-audit) if you are putting your educational development first. Returning to the first two paragraphs of this post and the general theme of my ‘glimmers’, it can be all too easy to become weighed down in the day-to-day administrative requirements of the teaching role.

However, there are ways in which you can reignite your own spark as an educator and much of this does start with you identifying how you want to develop, what you want to learn and how you want to progress. You really do deserve it.

Ideas and practical suggestions

So, what might mindsets and support systems exist which can support with carving an individual and self-motivated journey for development as an educator? Below are two suggestions which I hope can be actioned with minimal time spent preparing. Think of these more as a starting point, or a framework, to help you consider what you would like your next steps to be and how you might consider putting these into action.

As shared above, the title of this post (alongside the generalised framework which I will suggest) is inspired by the words of Jay Shetty. As I was listening to him discuss these ideas on my morning run, I was overcome by the links that I was able to make with the education profession. As I often reiterate in my ‘glimmers’, I am a realist. I do understand that some of my suggestions today will take time and effort and there is not always the feeling of space available to do this. However, I think it is important. I do believe that when you value your worth and if you work with leaders or colleagues who are willing to support your professional journey, it is possible. After all, the continued learning that you undertake will have a tangible impact on the most valuable outcome in education - the teaching, nurturing and development of the children who you teach.

1. Find a coach/mentor

In the midst of identifying what you would like your next steps to be, is the question of how the steps will be taken. I love the idea of having a coach or mentor available to support with this. Now, this doesn’t have to be a physical person or a paid commodity. As illustrated below, the words of Jay Shetty resonated with me here, this is a tool which helps to remind you that, ‘You’re meant for more, you are built for more, you are made for more.’²

• So, who or what is a coach? What may surprise you is this does not have to be a physical 1:1 session with a big price tag attached.

  • Books. Of which there are so many! Again, I totally understand that engaging with these takes time. I do believe there is room for a conversation with leaders here linked to appraisal (more on this below). There are ways and means to make slithers of additional time, sometimes it is being savvy about it. Audio books are great for accompanying you on a car journey or during a run. Equally, if like me you are guilty of sometimes unintentionally wasting time scrolling on your phone, could more thought be put into blocking time to engage with a couple of pages every evening?

  • Podcasts. Again, along the audio book school of thought but perhaps more accessible (and cost effective). There are SO many amazing educational podcasts out there with succinctly named titles which can be searched to help you land on the exact thread of a topic which you have been wanting to learn more about. Even better, they often feature authors of the aforementioned books, so you can get a taste of a theory or idea before purchasing. You may also discover a new educationalist who you would like to learn more about, which can take you off on a whole new journey of discovery.

  • Blog and articles. Of course, I will first and foremost be advocating for my fellow writers on Substack. Wow - the amount that I have learnt on this platform since joining. The beauty of a blog or an article is that often that these are written by people who are on the ground in education and who understand the demands, alongside the joys, of the role. In addition to Substack, there are a number of brilliant platforms (often free) which provide short and snappy articles which may provide just enough for you to apply something new in your setting or suggest something different to your colleagues. All of a sudden - you are the coach!

  • Colleagues. Another Jay Shetty gem, ‘You need someone who’s been there’. Arranging a chat with a colleague who may have been teaching longer than you, who currently holds the role as Head of English, who spent 3 years teaching in Thailand. I couldn’t count on my hands the number of times I have had informal conversations with my colleagues about my professional (and personal) experiences in education. Over a coffee, around a tin of biscuits. Just a chat. Not linked to appraisal or in a formal coaching capacity. Approaching colleagues to ask a little about their educational development is such a valuable tool which will hopefully support you in navigating your own.

  • Friends and family. Even better, if they don’t work in education. I have learnt so much from conversations with people who I know who work in sectors that are completely different in terms of organisation, day-to-day expectation and outcome, compared with working in a school. Through learning about these structures (and often asking pre-meditated questions) I have been able to learn a lot about what and how I would like to develop as an educator. Examples may relate to what constitutes a working day, how to negotiate time to work on projects and what curating a journey of professional development may look like. Also, those who know you, again to quote Jay Shetty, value your attributes and worth. Understanding that, ‘You are meant for more, you are built for more, you are made for more’.

2. Commit to putting yourself outside of your comfort zone

As shared earlier, today’s post is not suggesting that to move forward in your own professional development, you have to make staggering changes. Instead, it is asking the question as to whether you feel you could gain a little more joy and motivation by shining the light back on your own journey. At times. this may mean you have to advocate for yourself. The idea of consistently allowing in a little discomfort relates to Jay Shetty’s recommendation, to recognise that you have the ‘ability to just push yourself in a really simple way’.

• So how can discomfort produce action and how can this support positive, professional learning experiences?

  • Sign-up for something new. There are SO many opportunities out there which provide exciting new learning experiences in education. Sometimes the difficulty is finding them. Sometimes, finding budget for them. Below, I will share some suggestions which may hopefully support in the initial search. The uncomfortable part of this idea could come with approaching leaders to share that you have landed on a course which you feel would enhance your professional development. This prospect may feel a little scary or you may have the narrative of, “I will never be given the time/money to do this.” Having lived in the North East of England for a number of wonderful years, I am a firm believer in the sentiment of, ‘shy bairns get nowt’. Ultimately - shoot your shot! If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Ensure your prepared for the conversation, do your research, provide tangible outcomes. The appraisal process and the importance of CPD should be a two-way conversation. Your voice in this is just as valued as the leaders in your setting.

  • Apply for that role. Once again, I am not suggesting this has to be in a new setting. Perhaps this is a new opportunity which has arisen in your current school. If the role ignites a spark in you, if you have read the job description and you feel a little fire in your belly - go for it! Even if you don’t feel quite ready. Even if you are not sure you meet all of the requirements. Writing the application and hopefully securing the interview, these are positive experiences which will support you in identifying what you do or don’t want. What you are or are not ready for - and in this case, what your next steps would be to become ready. Either way, you are showing willing. You are gaining feedback. Even if you “fail” (written in inverted commas because really, do we ever fail?). You will be learning about yourself - gaining feedback and hopefully motivation. Didn’t land the role? Go back to the coach. Listen to the podcast. Speak to that person one step ahead. Wouldn’t we suggest exactly the same to the children who we teach?

  • Join a community. The third idea in the title of this post. I absolutely love this line from Jay Shetty, ‘Surround yourself with other people who have stories, who have journeys, who have experiences’. This community may be beyond your work or personal settings. Substack is a community - the ‘notes’ section particularly supports this. What is on your mind? There are also many communities which operate locally and regionally. Some subject-specific. Some linked to courses and qualifications. Some are on social media. There really is strength in numbers for this one. Hearing about someone else’s experiences. Sharing your thoughts and queries in a like-minded space. This is learning, reflection and positive intention. Again, sometimes a barrier can be forged in the difficulty of finding these communities but often a little research, some intentional asking around (and hopefully a few of my suggestions) will unearth some gems.

My suggestions today are influenced by my personal experiences as an educator in the UK, Spain and Dubai. Therefore, a lot of the tangible reference points in this post will link to my awareness of opportunities in these spheres. Through the power of the Substack community, I would love to generate more suggestions linked to your location and further knowledge in the comments below.

• Books. Why not check out titles by these leading education publishers?:

• Podcasts. My current top 4 suggestions are:

• Blogs and articles.

• Finding something new…

• Community

  Social media platforms can be a great place to become part of a community, for example there are a number of groups on Facebook which have been set up for this purpose.

  A new social media suggestion would be to take a look at:

  If your school is part of a Multi Academy Trust, or you have hubs linked to your subject/area of expertise, this is another valuable route to explore in your local area.

  More widely you may want to learn about:

1. Finding balance

2.