Why teachers should actively invest in their well-being

In which I suggest an investment with very high return

I happened upon an article by Mary Kamau in The Standard that makes an excellent claim: that teachers should invest in their well-being. Most teachers know this is true. And I bet most teachers reading this are like, “Yep, I’ll do it! I’ll exercise every day, eat well, and get my students to meditate with me in class.” New academic year. New resolutions.

Good luck with that.

No, honestly. Good luck with that. Self-care is essential for teachers (and parents and every single caregiver on the planet). But, as I’ve always said, self-care only goes so far. That is, only so far as the demands of the job allow before they swallow you up and take you down.

What’s the solution? What investment promises reliable and disproportionate returns?

Getting cared for.

Specifically, getting cared for by peers. In a support group. That meets weekly and gives every teacher a chance to describe how they’re doing. Both positive and negative. And to dive into one or more of their experiences to come up with a plan of action that will relieve stress, strengthen relationships, and promote desired learning. And will, consequently, reduce the amount of effort and stress required to keep heads above water.

Sound good? Contact me about forming a TSG or even training to become a facilitator of TSGs. It’s the wave of the future!

Can’t join a TSG? Then listen to the award-winning TTE podcast, where my co-host Joe Johnson and I unpack teachers’ stories of very difficult teaching moments with humor and insight. Psychodynamic insight. Insight you won’t find anywhere but here.

Every teacher story we tell will sound familiar to you. And the benefits other teachers gained from being cared for in a Teacher Support Group can be passed on to you.

For free. Or, if you’re a paid subscriber, for the price of a mocha latte, which I used to have every single afternoon until I realized they kept me awake at night. My point? Buy a TTE subscription and sleep well! Because you’re supporting an independent effort to help teachers make the world a better place.

Which is, actually, priceless.

Sign up now! Subscribe now! Get started on being cared for before the school year even begins! You deserve it!