Improving+Teacher+Wellbeing



Teacher wellbeing is an underestimated influence on Student Learning Outcomes. Few would argue against teachers having a strong influence on a child's education, and few would argue that teaching is not a demanding profession. Much research is being conducted on teacher retention rates in schools and the reasons for teachers leaving the profession prematurely or after years of teaching and taking with them valuable experience, knowledge and skills.

Valuing teachers is a very simple way of improving learning outcomes across the board in educational instutitions as efficacy is likely to be substantially higher. Listed are some ideas for improving teacher wellbeing.


 * Establish an appropriate whole school wellbeing program linked to home and the community
 * Establish a staff welfare culture and program within the school
 * Establish a student welfare culture and program within the school
 * Increase resources for Professional Learning, collaborative planning, formal reflection and feedback
 * Create meetings with opportunities to discuss the realities of daily teaching lives to ensure good communication and to encourage collaborative work as well and recognising that people are not isolated
 * Provide support bases for new members of staff, whether experienced or graduate, and clear advice on where and how to access help
 * Professional development on managing work-life balance
 * Professional development opportunities for time management and relaxation techniques
 * Encourage the use of services such as: gym memberships, yoga, pilates, sporting clubs, massage, counselling
 * Encourage staff involvement in healthy group activities such as fitness challenges (//Go For Your Life// team and family challenges etc)
 * Allow study leave for teachers enhancing their professional learning outside the school's professional development structure
 * Flexible working hours if possible
 * Offer allowances in time for health checks and exercise (general health checkups at school followed by a healthy breakfast before teaching)
 * Offer regular voluntary social activities