Educator insights

‘Surrounding my home is a magical place that draws me away from the everyday stresses of life and work.’ In this article, primary school teacher Sue Mickelburough shares the positive impact that spending time in nature has on her wellbeing.

‘How do you feel the night before the start of a new term? Is your stomach tied in knots?’ In this article, teacher Frances Ardern shares her 3 tips for managing feeling overwhelmed and anxious at the beginning of a new term.

‘Your graduate year of teaching is exciting, fun, and wildly challenging’. Teacher Jacqueline Irvine shares how she has learnt to take care of herself as a teacher, and shares her 6 tips for graduate teachers to take care of themselves too.

‘It’s a great reminder that what is consuming your thoughts now may not consume your thoughts forever.’ Teacher Frances Ardern shares why she has enjoyed journalling for most of her life, and her tips for getting started yourself.

‘It’s not important how I ride. It’s just important that I ride. I’m a better person after I have been on a ride.’ Matt Hill, K-6 Creative Arts Project Advisor with the New South Wales Department of Education, shares why spending time mountain biking is important for his wellbeing.

‘Being accountable for my wellbeing requires scheduling in time for my goals and passions outside of the classroom.’ Here, English teacher Marissa Lombardo shares how attending Italian classes to learn the language has helped her make new friends, connect with her family culture and challenge herself in new ways.

‘I am still an advocate of moving for wellbeing, but the way that I do that movement has been adjusted. My biggest take away, so far, has been that changing how you move is okay, just as long as you do move.’ Teacher Aimee Blazek shares how she adjusted her exercise regime while pregnant so she could still move her body.

‘In my experience, gratitude is not just something that will happen. Sometimes it requires a genuine effort on our behalf, particularly when life presents inevitable challenges.’ Liam Casson, Director of The Wynne Centre for Boys’ Health and Wellbeing at Christ Church Grammar School reflects on having gratitude.

Sandro Biscaro, a Health and PE teacher and Daily Organiser at Epping Secondary College in Victoria, shares insights into how he cares for his own mental health and wellbeing.

‘I’ve emptied my cup completely several times. It always creeps up slowly, but surely, in the background under the guise of contributing to the greater good.’ Aimee Blazek from Mount St Patrick College in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, shares a range of wellbeing strategies she employs to fill her cup.