There's a lot of talk in the media and political circles these days that teachers need to do more, be more, achieve more. The government invests a lot of resources in the training and ongoing development of teachers, and they expect to see results. Meanwhile, there is an increasing number of teachers suffering stress-related illness and burnout. Some of these educators struggle through at a reduced capacity, while others leave the profession for good. Either way, something clearly needs to change. Happy, healthy people are more effective teachers and more productive members of society. Many educators put everyone else's health and happiness before their own, in the hope of making a difference. However, this is backfiring because the external expectations and demands of the job continue to increase despite the dwindling reserves of teachers. The plane safety message is all about self-care. Fit your own oxygen mask before helping others. This is what we as teachers need to learn and practise in order for us to go on making a difference long into the future. About Self-Care for Teachers
Self-Care for Teachers is an online teacher wellbeing hub founded by Ellen Ronalds Keene. It began life as a Facebook Support Group and soon expanded to a blog, coaching services and a series of wellbeing resources. Ellen is a teacher, wellbeing coach and passionate self-care advocate who understands the demands of the teaching profession. She has been on her own journey of illness and burnout, and knows how powerful self-care can be in reclaiming health and happiness, both in the classroom and in life. About Ellen
Ellen Ronalds Keene is a writer, teacher and coach specialising in school and teacher wellbeing. She is passionate about preventing teacher burnout and improving the health and happiness of teachers and the whole school community. Through her website, podcast and platforms, Ellen shares tips, tricks and techniques for practising self-care and improving wellbeing. Through personal coaching and meditation teaching, she guides and supports her clients to make the changes in their life needed to achieve more work-life harmony. Ellen also supports teachers through the free Facebook support group Self-Care for Teachers. It is her mission to empower teachers to be their best selves, because when we give to ourselves we have more to give to others. After all, you can't pour from an empty cup! When she isn’t teaching, coaching or practicing self-care herself, she enjoys writing a blog and reading about health, wellbeing and human behaviour. The rest of the time she likes to hang out at home in trackie-dacks with her husband and cat. Ellen says: “Over the last 10 years I have learnt the hard way that life is not only easier and I am happier when I look after me, but I am also able to look after others better too. I am a better teacher, colleague, wife, daughter, friend and human when I prioritise looking after myself. I really want to help others feel better too, everywhere, but particularly in the teaching profession where I see a great need for more policies and system which support wellbeing.”
