Can I be perfect?
Many teachers aspire to be ‘perfect’. Perhaps a laudable position to start your career but for me this is an aim that only leads to stress, anxiety and frustration. I set out on the quest myself and my experience went…
How supply-teachers survive?
Even as a supply veteran I still feel anxiety when stepping into an unknown class. I hope supply-teachers everywhere will benefit from knowing how I cope. As a full time class teacher I wondered why supply-teachers struggled with my ‘lovely’…
How to resist pressure
Teaching is a pressure job, it saps both physical and mental resources. To also feel constantly under the spotlight to achieve results just adds to the pressure. I read an article where a teacher admitted ‘cheating’ to help children achieve expected…
How to cope with exam-stress
I recall an open university exam many years ago. I arrived early, waited patiently outside, found my desk, got out my pencil case and placed my bag of sweets on the table. The large room was humming with nervousness and…
How to cope with fears of ofsted
How often have perfectly competent and experienced teachers been overcome with stress and anxiety as an ofsted inspector walks through the door? This reminds me of work-ups during my naval career. Long stressful days where ‘evolutions’ were thrown at the…
How to be more assertive
“Just speak up for yourself and be more assertive!” How many times have you heard those words? Perhaps you would like to be more assertive but when the moment comes you just can’t do it. Hypnosis can help. For some…
How to deal with bullying
Bullying is not something left at the school gate, it can follow us into adult life! I once worked in a school where so much pressure surrounded observations one teacher hid in a cupboard prior to the observed lesson. So what…
How to stay calm in class
However difficult, it is important for a teacher to remain calm, even when the children ‘test’ your tolerances. Easier said than done? We all start the school year full of optimism. Having recharged over the summer break we return to…
How to stop snacking
Why do teachers snack? Picture the scene when you grab a cuppa and shuffle into someone’s classroom for the start of another long staff meeting. Then, whoever is about to present the latest review of pupil progress powerpoint to impress…
How to become a non-smoker
Breathe easy week http://www.blf.org.uk/Page/Breathe-Easy-Week aimed to raise awareness of lung health. One in seven people in the UK are affected by lung disease. Smoking is a big cause of lung disease in this country. Become a non-smoker and improve your well…
