Scroll through any social media platform, for example Facebook or Twitter, and you will fairly quickly see updates from teachers and lecturers who are struggling under the stresses and demands of teaching through lockdown #3. The days that we are living through are truly extraordinary and no-one seems immune to the impact of this pandemic, which has hit every area of our lives.
The bottom line is that maintaining morale, as individuals and as teams, is more important than ever before. So many staff teams across the country have seen devastating loss and illness due to Covid-19. People are doing their very best so that colleges remain open for the vulnerable and the children of key workers, as well as providing remote teaching and learning for those at home. For many, this is exhausting and demoralizing. In recent days teachers have told me, “I feel like I’m not doing anything well”, “I’m so tired, I’m just working on auto-pilot”, and “I’m scared. I don’t want to pass this on to my family.” These additional stresses can be paralysing.
So how can we maintain morale and some sense of balance during these incredibly demanding times? These ideas may help in your setting:
1. Flexibility
In times of great challenge we tend to need certainty, but we are unlikely to get it. In fact, if this pandemic has taught the world of education anything it is that we have to be flexible enough to respond to rapidly changing scenarios. The more flexible we can be, the better; resistance can add to the pressure in high stress times.
2. Gratitude
Saying “thank you” goes a very long way, and during tricky times, it cannot be said too much. Noticing what your colleagues are doing and thanking them as much as possible is bound to be appreciated, offering a much-needed wellbeing boost.
3. Feedback
One teacher told me this week that despite having what she considered to be a successful week under very stressful circumstances, she had not a word of positive feedback from her leadership team. Even though there is much to do in limited time, the people around you would love to hear a word or two of positivity. It’s a powerful morale booster, not just for the person you are feeding back to, but for you as well.
4. Personal wellbeing
This is often the first thing to go in stressful periods, but your personal wellbeing needs your attention. There is so much wellbeing advice out there at the moment but the key message to take on board is that now is the time to get back to basics. We are not in normal times, and we need to acknowledge that. Nourishing food, enough fluids, exercise, and rest will help to provide the foundation for coping with what is on your plate right now. Build on the basics of personal wellbeing as much as you can and you guard against burnout.
5. Team morale boosting
Team quizzes and other such morale boosting events may or may not be your thing, but there is no doubt that activities that offer shared experiences, or the opportunity to talk and offload, can help to cement relationships and build camaraderie. They can contribute to a heightened sense of being supported in your work and that can give you the resources to help others.
6. Check in with colleagues
Is anyone struggling, or suffering in silence? Who needs your help right now? Check in with colleagues on an informal basis as often as you can. It doesn’t need to take an inordinate amount of time, but it just might be the boost that someone so desperately needs.
7. Cut yourself some slack
These are extraordinary times and we should not – must not – have the same expectations of ourselves that we would have under normal circumstances. We need to cut ourselves and others some slack. We all know what a relief that can be!
8. Remember what makes you laugh
When life feels so intense, our sense of humour can be the first thing to suffer. We need to remember what makes us feel light hearted; what makes us laugh. That is not to say that the seriousness of the pandemic is something to be laughed at, but we do need some temporary relief from the news at the moment. What can be relied upon to make you laugh? Notice how that makes you feel? There is nothing like laughter for temporary respite from the physical and emotional toll of tension.
These suggestions are not intended to diminish the challenging issues facing colleges and wider society at the moment. Rather, they are offered to help boost morale in colleges while we move through the immediate trials facing us. If these are causing excessive negative stress, it is important to seek help sooner rather than later. A first port of call could be your GP or Education Support on 08000 562 561.
Content originally published on Eteach.
About the author
Elizabeth Holmes
After graduating with a degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Reading, Elizabeth Holmes completed her PGCE at the Institute of Education, University of London. She then taught humanities and social sciences in schools in London, Oxfordshire and West Sussex, where she ran the history department in a challenging comprehensive. Elizabeth specialises in education but also writes on many other issues and themes. As well as her regular blogs for Eteach and FEjobs, her books have been published by a variety of publishers and translated around the world. Elizabeth has also taught on education courses in HE and presented at national and international conferences.