Welcome to The Flourishing Teacher’s Field Guide. Sit back, grab a cuppa 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.

If you haven’t subscribed yet, why not join the Marigold community? You’ll get weekly strategies for sustaining your wellbeing, avoiding burnout and flourishing as a person, not just a teacher.

And best of all..?

It’s free and always will be.

You can find out more about what to expect in this weekly newsletter here, or just go straight to our sign-up form.

This week we’re thinking about how to find, build and keep your resilience.

Let’s jump in…

Resilience Means Knowing When To Stop, Not How To Plough On

Let’s start with a confession…

I spent most of my career thinking that I was a resilient teacher (and a pretty resilient person).

I could cope. And everyone knew it.

I was a safe pair of hands and a shoulder to cry on.

I had the capacity to keep going, even when others stopped.

I could keep on giving, even after most of my colleagues ‘gave up’ and went home.

I knew, beyond any doubt, that I would get the jobs done.

And I did. Until I couldn’t any more.

I thought that was resilience. The ability to keep going, despite what teaching threw at me.

I was pretty proud of myself.

So I was quite shocked when, after years of apparently expert resilience, things fell apart for me.

I went from thinking that I could manage any challenge to realising I didn’t have the resources to cope.

I hadn’t been building myself up all those years. I’d been giving myself away.

It wasn’t resilience that I was demonstrating. It was stamina.

I’ve only recently learned the difference.

Stamina means you have the ability to endure.

Resilience is all about learning, adapting and growing in the face of challenge.

You can endure things without learning or growing.

You can employ your stamina to ‘bounce back’ after adversity.

But if you can master resilience, you don’t have to do either of those things.

After all, you can’t ‘bounce back’ if you’ve moved on…

So, how do we identify resilience, and how do we find, build and keep it?

It all starts by understanding that resilience isn’t just something that features in one aspect of our lives, but four…

The Four Pillars Of Resilience: Psychological, Emotional, Physical & Social

We’re complex.

And not just because we’re teachers!

At our best, we’re multi-tasking wizards.

At our worst, we’re self-limiting, self-sabotaging, insecure whirlwinds of unpredictability.

And when life goes so fast, we stop thinking about ourselves holistically.

So when we talk about resilience, we often only apply it to one aspect of our lives - the part we’re focusing on right now.

But once we realise that cultivating holistic resilience is crucial, we can start to look after ourselves with a bit more confidence and grace.

3 Top Tips For Finding, Building & Keeping Your Resilience

To get you started, here’s my ABC of what resilience looks like to me:

• Adaptability: When we are adaptable, it means we’re able to grow through adversity. Think of it like a willow tree bending in the wind, not breaking. If you can be flexible enough to change your approach to a challenge without undermining your values, you’re showing resilience.

• Belief: Believing that challenges are opportunities to learn and grow is a key aspect of resilience. It allows you to see setbacks as temporary and builds confidence in your ability to overcome them.

• Coping: Resilience isn't about ignoring difficulties in the classroom. It's about facing them head-on with healthy coping mechanisms like problem-solving, seeking support, and maintaining a positive outlook.

Between demanding workloads, ever-changing policies, and the emotional rollercoaster of guiding young minds, it's natural to lose sight of just how you can apply those ABCs on a daily basis.

But it's a skill you can nurture to thrive in the classroom and beyond.

And the ‘beyond’ bit is even more important.

Tip 1: Find Your Inner Spring

• Celebrate the small wins: Take a moment to appreciate the daily victories, from a student's "aha!" moment to a productive staff meeting. Recognising progress, however small, fuels your sense of accomplishment and keeps you motivated.

• Connect with your purpose: Remember why you became a teacher. Whether it's sparking curiosity, fostering growth, or making a difference in the community, reconnect with your passion. Reminding yourself of your deeper purpose rekindles your enthusiasm and provides strength.

• Seek support in your network: No one is an island. Build strong relationships with colleagues, mentors, and loved ones. Share your concerns, celebrate your successes, and lean on their support when needed. Remember, vulnerability is not weakness; it's a gateway to connection and strength.

Tip 2: Build Your Resilience Toolkit

• Mindfulness matters: Take small steps to prioritise your well-being. Practice mindfulness exercises like meditation or deep breathing for a few minutes each day. These techniques help you manage stress, stay present in the moment, and face challenges with a calmer mind.

• Move your body, boost your mood: Physical activity is a powerful stress reliever. Go for a walk, join a gym class, or simply enjoy a dance break in your classroom. Exercise releases endorphins, boosts energy levels, and improves your overall mood, making you better equipped to handle daily demands.

• Embrace the power of "no": Don't be afraid to set boundaries. Prioritise your workload, say no to additional tasks when your plate is full, and delegate responsibilities when possible. Protecting your time and energy is crucial for preventing burnout and maintaining your resilience.

Tip 3: Keep Your Flame Burning:

• Celebrate personal growth: Remember, challenges are opportunities to learn and grow. Reflect on how you've navigated a difficult situation, acknowledge your newfound skills, and celebrate your personal development. This reinforces your confidence and fuels your resilience for future challenges.

• Seek professional help if needed: Don't hesitate to seek support from a therapist or counsellor if you're struggling to cope. Talking to a professional can equip you with additional tools and strategies to manage stress and build resilience.

• Remember, you're not alone: The UK education system is full of dedicated professionals facing similar challenges. Connect with fellow teachers, share your experiences, and learn from each other. Knowing you're not alone in your struggles can be a powerful source of strength and motivation.

The path to resilience isn't always linear, but with dedication and self-care, you can become an even more effective and fulfilled educator. Remember, you’re the backbone of our education system, and your own wellbeing is vital for the wellbeing of your students.

So, prioritise your resilience, celebrate your successes, and know that you're not alone on this journey.

You've got this!

The Podcast Is Back! Hurrah!

Did I mention we’d had a few podcast technical problems?

Well, we’ve shown some resilience, learned from the challenges and built a better understanding of how not to make something simple too complicated.

Go us!

Here’s the link to our latest natter, where we’re thinking about why being a busy teacher doesn’t make us better teachers.

You’ll find a range of real-world strategies here for working smarter, not harder, and of course, you get to see and hear us share our stories!

Perfect for when you’re driving the car or walking the dog…

You Make A Difference, Even When You Don’t See It…

I had a great conversation the other day about staying in touch with ex-students. And what was utterly lovely was the number of colleagues who stay up to date with the lives ex-students lead, and who continue to support tutees.

It can be easy to forget that you make a massive difference in every child’s life.

But when you see the lives they go on to lead… it’s magical.

If you ever doubt yourself, just remember that out there in the world, there are people who owe you more than you will ever know.

But one day, if you’re lucky, you’ll find out!

Good luck with discovering, building and keeping your resilience, and remember:

In next week’s issue, we’ll look at how to have a healthy half-term (and we’ll unpick why so many teachers don’t).

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.