Welcome to The Flourishing Teacher's Field Guide.

In this issue, we’ll show you how to rediscover the excitement of learning and teaching. If you've ever felt like you're stuck in a rut and wondering why you’re still in the classroom, this one's for you!

Let's jump in...

When Did Teaching Stop Being Fun?

Sometimes I feel like I’ve lost my spark...

I became a teacher because I love learning and sharing knowledge. I’m inspired by the idea that I’m passing my passions on to the next generation, and I hope that somehow, deep down, they’ll change the world in a way that I never did.

But somewhere along the way, between the marking, the admin, and the constant pressure, that passion started to fade.

When the going got tough, I found myself going through the motions, delivering lessons on autopilot and forgetting that learning new stuff really does motivate me. The joy of discovery that once fuelled my teaching had dimmed, replaced by routine and a sense of defeat.

It kind of pains me to admit it.

It wasn't until I hit a wall of burnout that I realised something had to change. It wasn’t the system or the curriculum, although there’s an argument that those things both need reform.

It was me.

How? By rekindling that spark of curiosity and excitement that drew me to teaching in the first place.

I'm not talking about grand gestures or complete career overhauls. I'm talking about simple, practical strategies that helped me breathe new life into my teaching practice and reignited my love for learning.

If you’ve got 5 minutes, I’d love to share them with you.

Here are three transformative approaches that have worked wonders for me and countless other educators I've coached...

3 Ways to Rediscover the Joy of Teaching

1. Embrace The "Beginner's Mind" Approach

Remember when everything about teaching felt new and exciting? Like you could really make a difference? That's the essence of the "beginner's mind" - a state of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions.

I genuinely try to build on the knowledge and experience I have by approaching each day as though I’ve been given a new opportunity to be just a bit better than I was yesterday.

Like I have the chance to learn something new. For me, not for anyone else.

And, of course, if you think of yourself as a beginner, you ask questions, challenge norms and evaluate your choices in a way that most people never do.

How to do it:

• Challenge the opinions, wisdom and assumptions you hold about your subject matter and teaching methods. We’re here to grow and learn, not to stay the same. If you apply that approach to your teaching, you’ll start to apply it to yourself, too.

• Try teaching a concept in a completely new way, as if you've never taught it before.

• Engage in a subject or skill that's totally unfamiliar to you.

By adopting this mindset, you're not just refreshing your approach - you're also building empathy with your students' learning experiences.

Research by Lebuda & Glăveanu (2019) shows that this "beginner's mind" approach can significantly enhance creativity and problem-solving skills. Plus, it's been linked to increased job satisfaction and reduced burnout among teachers (Langer et al., 2017).

2. Implement Micro-Learning Techniques

In our busy lives, finding time for professional development can feel impossible. 

It can also feel utterly irrelevant if the CPD you have to engage with doesn’t seem to have a connection to the things you encounter every day.

That's where micro-learning comes in. Small, manageable bursts of learning that can fit into even the busiest schedule. 

If you want to reclaim your passion and remember the value of education, this is a great place to start.

How to do it:

• Dedicate 10-15 minutes daily to learning something new about your subject or pedagogy.

• Use apps or podcasts for bite-sized learning during your commute or lunch break.

• Share your daily "learning nuggets" with students to model lifelong learning.

This approach isn't just practical - it's backed by science. Research shows that micro-learning improves knowledge retention and application (Giurgiu, 2017). Plus, it aligns perfectly with cognitive load theory, making it ideal for busy educators (Kapp & Defelice, 2019).

3. Engage in Reverse Mentoring

Turn the traditional mentoring model on its head! Reverse mentoring pairs experienced teachers with younger colleagues or tech-savvy students for mutual learning and growth.

I’m in my 50’s. And although it might seem to others that I’ve got teaching nailed, one of the things that makes me a great teacher is that I know there’s always more to learn. 

My younger colleagues are a fantastic resource. Yours are, too. They’re a window into a new way of doing things, and just as much as they can benefit from your experience, you can benefit from their worldview, their training and their understanding of the modern world.

How to do it:

• Partner with a younger colleague or student to learn about new technologies, methodologies or trends.

• Offer your experience in exchange for fresh perspectives on modern teaching challenges.

• Use what you learn to enhance student engagement in your classroom.

This exchange doesn't just keep you up-to-date - it fosters mutual respect and bridges generational gaps. Studies show that reverse mentoring programs positively impact job satisfaction and organizational commitment (Chen, 2013), contributing to a more inclusive and innovative school culture (Murphy, 2012).

Remember, reigniting your passion for teaching isn't about working harder - we’re already at the maximum we can manage. It's about reconnecting with what drew you to education in the first place. 

By embracing new perspectives, committing to continuous learning, and engaging in meaningful exchanges, you can rediscover the joy that made you choose this incredible profession.

Your renewed enthusiasm won't just benefit you - it'll inspire your students and colleagues, creating a ripple effect of positive change in your school community.

What Are You Waiting For?

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Thank You For All You Do

Your passion for learning and teaching is what makes you an extraordinary educator. There’s no one like you, and there never will be. Even on the hard days, you’re changing lives, one student at a time.

By taking the time to nurture your passion for learning, you're not just improving your own experience - you're enhancing the lives of every student you touch.

You're doing amazing work, even when - especially when - it doesn't feel like it.

Here's a quick recap of our strategies for reigniting your teaching passion:

Remember, you're more than your marking, your lesson observations and your planning.

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