Building Resilience as a Newly Qualified Teacher

I attended the NQT Induction Conference as an exhibitor last week and was fortunate to attend one of the workshops … ‘Taking Care of You – Building Resilience and Managing your Wellbeing’ with Summer Macer, HR and Training Consultant at SPS. Below are some highlights. 

Exciting, demanding, exhausting and rewarding…just some of the words that will describe the first year of teaching. Your NQT year is designed to give you support, challenge and encouragement and build on the knowledge and skills you learnt in training. But technical skills aside, to thrive in your NQT year (and not just survive) you’ll need to actively think about your wellbeing and build and practice resilience. 

But what does resilience mean? The group concluded it is mainly about adopting a growth mind set; not taking comments too personally, having a tough outer shell, bouncing back and believing in you.

The following 3 key themes were discussed:

1) Challenge – don’t let difficulties define you… you are not your mistakes; negative experiences are just temporary; don’t dwell on these; look for the learning outcome! 

2) Personal Control – Focus your energies on the things you can change, impact and influence. Gain strength from the win (big or quick wins) and bolster your confidence in doing so. 

3) Commitment – Commit to work and life… look for work-life balance. The balance will ebb and flow at times which is natural – be mindful and takes steps to redress the balance as and when needed. 

Looking at personal control more closely, the session drew on the work of, Stephen Covey, who talks of circles of concern and influence. The problems and challenges we face fall into the circle of concern and whilst everybody to some extent has worries, it is how we deal with them that makes a difference. 

Dwell on the circle of concern and you’re in danger of it becoming bigger, bolder or worse, spinning out of control. Focus on the circle of influence, work on things you can do something about, what steps (however great or small) can you take to improve a situation in their control? By focusing attention and energy on our circle of influence, we become increasingly proactive, more confident and resilient – it’s a virtuous cycle. 

Summer also discussed the 5 steps to wellbeing with relevance to the NHS website and she highlighted the following steps:-

1) Keep learning – learning new skills, taking up hobbies can give you great satisfaction and boost confidence 

2) Give to others – whether this be time/availability or giving to a charity (something that resonates with you personally that will make you feel good for it) 

3) Connect and maintain relationships – it’s important not to forget who you are and keep contact with friends family as this will help you maintain a work-life balance; don’t lose yourself in your work

4) Be active – Find an activity that you enjoy and make it part of your life (this doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym – perhaps go walking, running or cycling) 

5) Be mindful - being mindful of you and how you are feeling is important as you need to recognise when things are perhaps getting too much and when you simply need a ‘breather’. By taking time out, this will allow you to refocus and return to teaching with a fresh head (a 5 minute break out of the classroom may do – if you get the opportunity!) The following meditation apps were recommended: Headspace and Calm though there are a good number available. Summer also mentioned two support networks with a wealth of free resources and support… Education Support Partnership and Be Well Teach Well. 

The workshop strengthened the importance of looking after yourself as ultimately if you don’t take care of you, this will be reflected in your teaching and in your personal lives too. 

It was nice to see those of you who attending the NQT Conference and please contact Kent-Teach if you are looking to change schools after your first year.

Sources:

www.stephencovey.com/7habits/7habits-habit1.php 

Read these 8 Tips to Survive your First Year Teaching!