A practical framework to avoid burnout and keep great teachers teaching
Onward tackles the problem of educator stress, and provides a practical framework for taking the burnout out of teaching. Stress is part of the job, but when 70 percent of teachers quit within their first five years because the stress is making them physically and mentally ill, things have gone too far. Unsurprisingly, these effects are highest in difficult-to-fill positions such as math, science, and foreign languages, and in urban areas and secondary classrooms - places where we need our teachers to be especially motivated and engaged. This book offers a path to resiliency to help teachers weather the storms and bounce back - and work toward banishing the rain for good.
This actionable framework gives you concrete steps toward rediscovering yourself, your energy, and your passion for teaching. You’ll learn how a simple shift in mindset can affect your outlook, and how taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally is one of the most important things you can do. The companion workbook helps you put the framework into action, streamlining your way toward renewal and strength.
- Cultivate resilience with a four-part framework based on 12 key habits
- Uncover your true self, understand emotions, and use your energy where it counts
- Adopt a mindful, story-telling approach to communication and community building
- Keep learning, playing, and creating to create an environment of collective celebration
By cultivating resilience in schools, we help ensure that we are working in, teaching in, and leading organizations where every child thrives, and where the potential of every child is recognized and nurtured. Onward provides a step-by-step plan for reigniting that spark.
Table of Contents
Preface ix
Introduction 1
Resilience: The What, Why, and How 2
What Informs This Book? 10
Who is This Book For? 11
How is This Book Organized? 12
An Invitation to a Journey 13
Habits and Dispositions of Emotionally Resilient Educators 15
A Calendar of Learning 17
The Resilience Manifesto 19
1 Know Yourself: June 21
Self-Knowledge is True Power 22
Acknowledging Context: Dominant Culture 34
A Dive into Vulnerability 38
Disposition: Purposefulness 40
When the Earth Shakes Under Your Feet 42
2 Understand Emotions: July 45
What are Emotions? 47
Understanding Emotional Intelligence 50
“I’m So Stressed and Overwhelmed” 54
This Body We Live In 56
A Dive into Anger 60
Disposition: Acceptance 64
Reclaim Your Right to Emotions 66
3 Tell Empowering Stories: August 69
The Promise and Pitfalls of Storytelling 70
Digging to the Roots of Interpretation 72
Crafting New Stories 80
Storytelling for Collective Empowerment 83
Acknowledging Context: Organizational Narratives 86
A Dive into Love 88
Disposition: Optimism 90
Choose Your Stories with Care 92
4 Build Community: September 95
Why Focus on Community Building? 96
Trust: The Foundation of a Healthy Community 100
How to Build Community 104
A Dive into Fear 119
Disposition: Empathy 121
Toward a Beloved Community 122
5 Be Here Now: October 125
Mindfulness: What, How, and Why 126
Meditation Changes Your Brain, Body, and Classroom 131
Mindfulness as a Tool for Cultural Competence 134
A Dive into Joy 140
Disposition: Humor 143
Those 65,000 Daily Thoughts 144
6 Take Care of Yourself: November 147
When Disillusionment Sets In 148
To Hell with Martyrdom 153
What Your Body Desperately Needs 157
Learn to Say No 164
A Dive into Perfectionism 166
Disposition: Positive Self-Perception 169
Strive for Balance 170
7 Focus on the Bright Spots: December 173
A Strengths-Based Approach 175
Why It’s Hard to Focus on the Bright Spots 178
Training the Brain 181
Acknowledging Context: Leadership Development Matters 187
A Dive into Sadness 188
Disposition: Empowerment 191
Look for the Light 194
8 Cultivate Compassion: January 197
What Compassion Offers 199
Self-Compassion 204
Compassion Fatigue 209
Forgiving Yourself and Others 211
A Dive into Envy 214
Disposition: Perspective 215
Love is the Only Way 217
9 Be a Learner: February 221
Learn About Learning So That You Can Learn 223
Sad Sundays and How to Stop Having Them 234
Acknowledging Context: On the Conditions for Learning 239
A Dive into Shame 242
Disposition: Curiosity 243
A Beginner’s Mind 244
10 Play and Create: March 247
Why We Need to Play Every Day 249
Art: Where Play Can Take Us 255
Creativity as a Habit and Disposition 258
A Dive into Flow 261
Disposition: Courage 262
The Healing Salves 264
11 Ride the Waves of Change: April 267
Change is Here to Stay 268
How to Deal with Unwanted Change 272
The Secret to Leading Change 278
Acknowledging Context: When Do We Fight the Good Fight? 283
A Dive into Patience 284
Disposition: Perseverance 286
Waves Can Be Fun 287
12 Celebrate and Appreciate: May 289
The Benefits of Appreciation 291
How to Practice Gratitude 293
It’s Okay to Go 300
Acknowledging Context: Spirituality 301
A Dive into Awe and Wonder 306
Disposition: Trust 308
Underground Rivers 309
Conclusion: Onward to Freedom 311
On Freedom 311
Onward: The Movement 314
Appendix A: The Habits and Dispositions of Resilient Educators: A Self-Assessment 317
Appendix B: How to Make Lasting Change 323
Appendix C: The Core Emotions 329
Appendix D: Depression and Anxiety Scales 333
Appendix E: Common Problematic Core Beliefs 337
Appendix F: Resources for Further Learning 341
Acknowledgments 353
About the Author 357
References 359
Index 365
