[Susie]

Today, we’re introducing five wonderful tools to help you relax:

1. Squish Your Stress
– Make your own balloon and flour stress ball.
– Here’s a tutorial: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Stress-Ball
– Share your favourite moments with your stress ball in the comments below.

2. Tune Out Stress
– Discover how music can help you focus and de-stress.
– Learn more: http://www.psychcentral.com/stress/the-power-of-music-to-reduce-stress
– What music do you listen to when you need to relax? Share your favourites in the chat.

3. The Gratitude Stress Eraser
– Practice gratitude to improve your mental health.
– Explore the concept: http://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/comfort-gratitude/202007/gratitude-helps-minimize-feelings-stress
– Want to give a Gratitude Shout-Out to a colleague?

4. Stepping Away from Stress
– Learn about the benefits of walking.
– Read more: http://www.prevention.com/fitness/a43369771/walk-to-lower-your-stress/
– Have you increased your step count this year? Share your progress in the comments.

5. Creative De-stressing
– Try adult colouring-in.
– Get colouring pages: http://www.supercoloring.com/collections/coloring-pages-for-adults
– Ever heard of neurographic drawing? Learn more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoIgdt-uQR0

Which tool do you like the most?

Do you have other stress-relief methods to add? Let us know in the comments below. 🎨🎵🚶‍♀️🙏🤩

[Susie]

Boost Your Teaching Journey: Energise Body and Mind

As we focus on ‘Teaching from a Full Cup’ this month, let’s explore the vital role of exercise for your body and brain. These easy yet impactful practices can easily become part of your daily routine!

For Your Body: Start your day with gentle stretches. Reach for the sky, touch your toes, or circle your shoulders. At School, take brisk walks during breaks, combining physical activity with the refreshing outdoors.

For Your Brain: Challenge your mind with puzzles, crosswords, or Sudoku during short breaks. Dive into podcasts, exploring interesting topics or immersing yourself in motivating stories.

These exercises not only sharpen your mind but also bring renewed energy to your teaching.

Remember, a healthy body and an active mind are your allies in delivering outstanding education.

Stay active, stay curious, and keep the teaching spirit alive and well! 🌟🏃‍♂️🤓🧠

[Susie]

Happy Working Wednesday!

Pop in for a live discussion today from 4 to 5 pm.

After that, share your questions and insights about Teacher Wellbeing with others. It’s a fantastic chance to learn and connect! 🕓🗣️🤝

[Susie]

Last week, we talked about ways to improve Teacher well-being that you can do by yourself. This week, we’re focusing on the help you need from others.

What kind of support do you wish for to keep your balance? We’re here to listen and chat.

Share your thoughts in the chat, and let’s start the conversation. 🗣️💡🤝

[Susie]

NOVEMBER 2023 TOWN HALL

🗓️✨ Save the Date: November 23, 5:30 pm! 🕠🎉

We have two very special guests joining us for this, the last Town Hall for 2023.

Sibongile Monareng, Director for Psychosocial Services at the Department of Basic Education, and

Dr. Rita Sonko, CEO of Strategic Analytics & Management, she’s an expert in public health and program quality improvement.

Secure your spot by registering here: https://bit.ly/3MJAUnt

🗓️👋 Mark your calendar, clear your schedule, and get ready for an uplifting session of self-care, wisdom and heartfelt connections. Your well-being matters! See you there! 🌞✨

[Susie]

Continuing our November theme, ‘Teaching from a Full Cup’, where are you in your journey right now?

What’s your ultimate strategy for staying balanced?

This week is all about sharing experiences and ideas.

Tomorrow, for Talking Tuesday, we’ll present a question to help you ponder over.

On Wednesday, we warmly invite you to share your questions or comments by replying to this post.

Thursday will bring us deeper into the subject so that we can learn from each other.

And, as usual, we’ll end the week with something light and uplifting on Friday!

Remember, we’re here to chat whenever you need us (during office hours, of course). Feel free to drop by anytime to join the conversation. 🗣️📆💬🌟

[Susie]

Remember to take care of yourself!

In the busy world of teaching, it’s easy to forget about your own well-being. But here’s the important part: to be the best Teacher for your Learners, you need to be at your best, too. This month, we’re focusing on ‘Teaching from a Full Cup’ by giving ourselves the attention we need.

Take short breaks during the day; even just ten minutes can help.

Enjoy a coffee with a friend or read something inspiring for a few minutes.

Laughter is like a burst of energy, so find time to have fun and share a good laugh with colleagues or loved ones.

Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury; it’s really important. You deserve it! By recharging your energy and putting yourself first, you’ll be better able to help your Learners and provide them with the best learning experience.

So, go ahead and give yourself a chance to focus on your well-being. You’ve earned it for all your hard work.

Now, these are three important ideas for Teacher Wellness. Have you tried any of these, and did they work for you? Or do you have other suggestions? Feel free to share your thoughts with us anytime. 🌟🗣️💡

[Susie]

Reflecting on Your Teaching Journey: Advice to Your Younger Self

🍎💭

Let’s take a trip down memory lane! If you could turn back time and offer a piece of advice to your younger self on that very first day of teaching, what words of wisdom would you share?

🕰️💬

Let’s hear your insights and reflections on how you’ve grown as a Teacher. Share your thoughts with the community!

[Susie]

🗣️ Join the Conversation: Fostering Good Values & Ethics in Education

📚🤝

Today, let’s have an open and constructive chat about what really matters when it comes to instilling values and ethics in education.

🏫💡

Share your thoughts, experiences, and insights with our community. Your input is invaluable! Join us in discussing this vital topic between 4 and 5 pm right here.

[Susie]

Check out these five key areas to see what’s clicking in your classroom: 👀

1. Interesting & Relevant: Is the content engaging and connected to Learners’ lives?

2. Challenge Level: It’s like Goldilocks – not too easy, not too hard, but just right.

3. Pressure-Free Zone: Wave goodbye to competition and academic stress. 🚫💼

4. Passion-Packed Teaching: Show your love for the subject with enthusiasm!

5. Warm & Welcoming: Create a safe space where Learners feel valued and supported. 🏠❤️

And remember, embracing mistakes leads to deeper learning! Don’t be afraid to let those learning experiences unfold. 🙌🧠

[Susie]

Out of the list of Enjoyment Magnets we talked about last week, is there one that caught your eye, something you haven’t tried before?

🤔🎉 Share with us which one and why you’re curious to give it a shot! Let’s inspire each other with new ideas for creating engaging and joyful classrooms. 🚀📚

[Susie]

Let’s chat about bringing enjoyment into your lessons with these Enjoyment Magnets!

Have you experimented with any of these techniques? How did it turn out?

🎮 Interactive Games

🗣️ Group Discussions

👩‍🏫 Peer Teaching

🤝 Themed Projects

📖 Storytelling Sessions

🏆 Class Competitions

🎭 Role-Playing
🎤

Show-and-Tell
🎉 Classroom Celebrations

Share your comments below!

[Susie]

When we began our journey into making learning enjoyable, we noticed some Teachers hesitating to embrace the idea that fun leads to better learning. 🤔 But research tells us that a relaxed atmosphere opens the door to new ideas and improved memory retention. 😌✨ So, if your Learners are often stressed, learning might become a challenge.

Today’s talk is all about crafting a fun classroom – what elements make it tick, and how can you bring that joyful vibe to life? Join the conversation and share your insights! 💬🎈

[Susie]

Hi Kabelo, yes, exactly! And that is what enjoyment achieves. How have you seen learners demonstrate being intrinsically motivated?

[Susie]

It is a live chat – so like a chat room.