Welcome to The Flourishing Teacher’s Field Guide. It’s time to put the marking down and soak up some life-changing content!

We believe that teachers achieve extraordinary things under challenging circumstances and that we all deserve to be valued, supported and celebrated.

That’s what this newsletter is all about.

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This week, we’re thinking about why being a supportive colleague can be so incredibly valuable, not just for the rest of the school community but for you, too.

Let’s jump in…

Everyone Else Is Too Busy To Help…Which Is Just When You Need Support Most

I bet this resonates…

You’re drowning under the weight of the million things you need to do. From contacting parents to planning lessons and changing the displays in the hall.

But because you’re an awesome teacher, you find ways to make everything happen.

Everyone gets what they need. Except you.

That was always my model of teaching. Then, a few years ago, I realised that I needed some informal peer support. My workload was off the charts, members of my family were suffering from health problems, and I just felt as though I was drowning. I didn’t need people to ease the burden; I just needed some colleagues to be my marigolds. To be there with positive suggestions and support when I needed them.

And as soon as I reached out, which I’d never really done before, I found their time, support and generosity heartbreakingly wonderful.

The marigolds among my colleagues lifted me up, and since then, I’ve been passionate about sharing such exceptionally good practice.

So, if you want to know more about being a more supportive colleague and what the benefits are for you and the community, here are our top strategies (honed from a lifetime of teaching experience)…

Top 3 Ways Teachers Can Support Each Other's Wellbeing

Being a supportive colleague can look different in every school, but for me, there are a few traits that define a true marigold…

When you find colleagues that you can trust to share your worries and support you, here are three suggestions for developing that relationship…

Cultivate a Culture of Collaboration and Sharing

• Peer Coaching and Mentoring: Pair up with colleagues for regular feedback, brainstorming, and problem-solving. Set a specific agenda or set of goals, of focus on a shared challenge, defined in advance.

• Resource Sharing: Build a collaborative platform or system to share lesson plans, activities, and helpful resources. This isn’t just a shared department drive. It’s an ethos that puts resource sharing at the heart of planning.

• Celebrations and Recognition: Celebrate successes, big or small, and acknowledge each other's contributions to boost morale and foster a sense of community. How you do this is up to you, but a colleague who takes an active interest in celebrating your wins has 100% marigold DNA.

Embrace Vulnerability and Open Communication

• Safe Spaces for Dialogue: Create open and non-judgmental spaces where teachers can express their frustrations, anxieties, and challenges. This doesn’t have to be the staffroom. It can just be as simple as a colleague saying, “I’ll be in the office at lunch if anyone needs a natter…”

• Active Listening and Support: Practice active listening, offer empathy and understanding, and avoid offering unsolicited advice unless requested. Above all, provide positive support and do your best to give others the tools to solve problems, rather than trying to do it for them.

• Normalising Vulnerability: Openly discuss your own struggles and setbacks, reminding everyone that it's okay to not be okay and seek support.

Spread Positivity and Celebrate Each Other's Wins

• Offer Random Acts of Kindness: Leave encouraging notes, offer small gifts, or simply express appreciation for a colleague's effort. More than anything, giving someone some of your time and showing them how they are worth your attention is the best thing you can do.

• Celebrate Milestones and Achievements: Publicly acknowledge individual and collective successes, reinforcing a positive and supportive environment.

• Maintain a Sense of Humour: Don't be afraid to find humour in stressful situations, as laughter can be a powerful tool for managing stress and building connections. If you and your marigold can laugh about things together, then you know you’ve found a wonderful colleague.

Being A Marigold Is Vital For Your Own Wellbeing

Supporting your colleagues isn't just about selflessness; it's a win-win situation that fosters a healthy and thriving school environment where everyone, yourself included, benefits. Here's why:

• Reduced Stress and Burnout: A supportive network acts as a buffer against the everyday pressures of teaching. Sharing your load and knowing you have a safety net can significantly reduce stress and prevent burnout, ultimately protecting your own well-being.

• Enhanced Job Satisfaction: Witnessing positive change and knowing you've contributed to someone's success is incredibly rewarding. Seeing colleagues flourish fuels your own sense of purpose and makes your job more fulfilling.

• Improved Collaboration and Productivity: A culture of trust and mutual support strengthens teamwork and leads to better problem-solving, more innovative ideas, and ultimately, a more effective and productive work environment for everyone.

• Strengthened School Community: When teachers feel supported and valued, it translates into a more positive and engaging learning environment for students. A healthy school culture built on mutual respect and collaboration ultimately benefits everyone.

• Personal Growth and Development: By actively listening and empathising with others, you develop valuable communication and leadership skills. Sharing your own experiences and insights also leads to personal growth and a deeper understanding of yourself and your colleagues.

So now you know!

Our Podcast Is Now On Spotify

We’re so excited it’s ridiculous.

As well as our regular home on YouTube, you can now get your ears around our lovey content on Spotify and a bunch of other streaming services.

Totally free!

We cover a wide range of topics around teacher wellbeing, so feel free to jump in and listen on your way to work or when you’re out for a run…

Or carry on watching us on YouTube - it all works either way!

Thank You For Everything

We’ve got a long term ahead of us, and it’s only just started.

Just remember, however dark the mornings or however rainy the wind, you’re not alone.

We’re here, in your corner, fighting the fight and reminding you of just how important you are in the lives of so many young people.

You’re an absolute hero, and if no one else tells you that today, you heard it here first!

Don’t forget the key takeaways from today’s newsletter…

In next week’s issue, we’ll be digging deeper into how to safeguard your own wellbeing at times of greatest stress. After all, that’s when we’re most likely to neglect ourselves!

Until then, remember, you’re more than your marking, your lesson observations and your planning.

You’re you. And that’s all you need to be.