Welcome to the latest issue of The Flourishing Teacher’s Field Guide.

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This week we’re thinking about strategies that teachers can use to ask for help when they’re struggling, which is something it took me a long, long time to learn…

By The Time I Asked For Help, It Was Nearly Too Late…

Teaching is often considered a lonely profession, which on the face of it can seem strange - we’re constantly surrounded by people, after all.

But we’re often too busy to communicate the things that really count.

I had some great colleagues, loved working collaboratively, and enjoyed being surrounded by so many inspiring students, but I was pretty lonely.

Probably because, for a long time, I wore my professionalism like a suit of armour. I just didn’t feel comfortable being vulnerable in front of my colleagues.

After all, I was supposed to have the answers, not be the one who needed support.

It took me a long time to learn to ask for help from my colleagues. Talking to them about it now, I realise I wasn’t alone in feeling unable to share problems or admit that, at times, I couldn’t cope.

I just wish I’d been able to recognise that I needed help and that it wasn’t a sign of weakness to ask for it earlier on in my career.

3 Strategies That Will Help You Reach Out For Help If You’re A Struggling Teacher

It's important to remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

It's a sign of strength.

It takes courage to admit that you're struggling and to reach out for help, but you’re a person first and a teacher second, and people need help to be teachers.

And my experience taught me three valuable lessons…

The best three ways for teachers to ask for help when they're stressed are:

1. Reach out to a trusted colleague or mentor. This could be a colleague at your current or previous school, or someone with a skillset you respect outside of education. Talk to them about what you're struggling with and ask for their advice or support. They may be able to offer you specific solutions, or they might simply listen and offer empathy. Be specific about what you need. Don't just say, "I need help." Instead, try to identify specific tasks or areas where you need assistance. This will make it easier for the person you're asking to help you. Do you need someone to listen to you? Do you need help brainstorming solutions? Do you need help finding resources?

2. Join a teacher support group. There are many online and in-person support groups available for teachers. These groups can provide a safe space to vent your frustrations, share your experiences, and learn from other teachers who are going through the same things. They’re often positive forums for strategy and change, and places where solutions can be developed. When you ask for help, be willing to listen to the other person's suggestions, even if they're not what you expected. They may have some good ideas that you hadn't thought of. Be patient and don't give up. It may take some time to find the right help and support.

3. Talk to your line manager or senior leadership. This one’s not always easy, but it’s often the most effective. And honestly, your managers need to know how you’re feeling so that they can support you. So, if you're feeling overwhelmed, don't be afraid to ask for their help. Be honest about what you're going through. Don't try to minimize your problems or pretend that you're okay when you're not. They may be able to provide you with additional resources, reassign some of your workload, or help you develop a plan to manage the things that are challenging you.

^{Take The Help On Offer}

It’s important to remember that if help is offered, you should take it. It might mean changing the way you work and the way you think about yourself and your responsibilities.

It’ll probably mean confronting some limiting beliefs and learning to reframe the picture you hold of yourself.

But those can be really positive and valuable things to do.

They can help alleviate some of the anxieties that get in the way of a fulfilling career and bring you back to yourself.

You just have to believe that you deserve the support on offer and that it can make a tangible change to your teaching.

And if you can do that, you’re already halfway there.

It’s Time To Flourish

We’re called Marigold Teachers for a darn good reason.

Just like marigolds sustain and nurture the planets around them, great colleagues and managers support and inspire the staff around them to thrive.

They’re your staff room marigolds.

They’re the colleagues you turn to for advice. For positivity. For solutions rather than problems. For a shoulder to cry on. For cake.

And they’re the kinds of colleagues we always aspire to be.

Why Resilience Matters For Schools And Teachers

We adored this recent post from John Amaechi, who speaks to the human, compassionate side in all of us, and sets a wonderful model for how schools should approach the wellbeing of their teachers…

Some Teachers Can’t Teach

Although it’s a bit of a provocative post, this is such a celebration of what it means to be a teacher, that we had to include it here.

Teachers have the potential and the opportunity to change the world. To build the future.

Never forget, we’re an extraordinary force for change!

If You Need Us, We’re Here

We just wanted to finish by reminding you of three things…

Firstly, how awesome you are. You’re a teacher. You get up every day, and you make the most positive of differences to everyone around you.

You’re extraordinary, and we hope you never forget that.

Second, if you need any help, support or advice, we’re always here.

You can catch us on the socials, or email Rebecca and David directly at [email protected].

Lastly, the key takeaways from today's newsletter…

In the next issue, we’re going to look at three ways teachers can achieve more by doing less. We’ll take you through some productivity super-hacks and discover real-world time management tips that will transform your workload.

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.