My BRiTE Toolkit

Date: 8/10/20172:17PM

Module "B": Building resilience................................................................................................................ 2

Module "R": Relationships....................................................................................................................... 3
Module "i": Wellbeing............................................................................................................................... 5
Module "T": Taking initiative.................................................................................................................... 7
Module "E": Emotions.............................................................................................................................. 9
Module "B": Building resilience
How do you define resilience?
The ability to remain positive and to recover quickly in difficult times. This involves managing
mental health in order to cope with everyday challenges, and adapt to new situations.
The ability to remain positive when being challenged, and to recover quickly in difficult times.
How would you describe a resilient teacher?
Has the ability to maintain a positive attitude towards teaching and learning, despite difficulties that
may arise in the classroom. Is able to adapt to the changes and challenges presented.
Quotes
"A resilient teacher is A person who utilises inner resources (strength) and external resources
(such as peers) to overcome challenges of the profession"
"A resilient teacher views their teaching as a work in process, always changing and growing for the
better"
What do the experts say?
"the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant
sources of stress such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or
workplace and financial stressors. (American Psychological Association, 2014)"
"The importance of environmental factors in supporting teacher resilience is emphasised in the
work of Johnson, Down, LeCornu, Peter, Sullivan, Pearce and Hunter (2014). Their framework of 5
conditions supporting Early Career Teacher (ECT) resilience highlights the importance of policies
and practices, teachers work, school culture, relationships and teacher identity in supporting the
resilience of early career teachers. Peters and Pearce (2011) discuss the impact of principals
personal support and leadership in supporting early career teacher resilience and Le Cornu (2013)
argues relationships are critical to resilience building in new teachers. According to Corbell,
Osborne and Reiman (2010) key factors associated with beginning teacher satisfaction,
commitment and retention include mentor support, colleague support, administrative support,
classroom management, student success, instructional resources, parental contacts and
assignment and workload. Likewise, Phelps and Benson (2012) found that factors sustaining
teachers included the chance to have an impact, positive attitudes of others, and professional
development through collaboration and relationships. The importance of a caring professional
community has been stressed in whole school approaches to support pupil and teacher wellbeing
and resilience (Cefai & Cavioni, 2014). Assisting novice teachers is a collective responsibility
(Caspersen & Raaen, 2014)."
Little wisdoms
""When I encourage someone else, I see it as an investment in their resilience" - Steve
Karagiannis. "
Module "R": Relationships
Maintaining support networks
First thoughts
Keeping in contact by setting aside time specifically for social activities. Utilising social media and
other means, to remain in touch with friends and colleagues.
My thoughts on "I have friends I havent seen for weeks "
Reach out to friends via text message or phone call and open up communications again. Even if
you have limited time or energy participate in more active social activity, conversations may be
enough to maintain a work/social life balance.
New ideas
Catching up with friends/family by reserving weekend time for them. Keeping up hobbies and social
activities. Keeping contact with colleagues through social media and private "groups".
Tips
"Beware of venting or including identifying details in online communication the education
community is a small one and trouble arises if one of your Facebook friends is related to
someone at your school registrar and reads comments about a school!"
"Share effective teaching strategies and great lesson plans."
"Share resources and time saving tips to help each other out."
"Send positive/inspiring stories of your experiences to each other."
"Maintaining a professional online identity is vital as a teacher or in any profession. Be mindful
before you post photos that might be questionable to your professional identity. "
"If starting a group in social media consider the use of closed groups. Participants will enter only by
invitation and no one else will be able to see the contents, discussions and posts inside the group.
Its a great and safe way to interact."
What do the experts say?
"Bernard (1993) argues that having at least one strong support person in an individuals
environment can have a positive impact on resilience. Having a caring network of friends and
family can assist teachers in managing the challenges of the profession (Howard & Johnson, 2004)
and can enhance teacher commitment (Day & Gu, 2007). Supportive family members can also help
teachers maintain work-life balance (Gu & Day, 2007).
Papatraianou and Le Cornu (2014) argue that informal professional and personal networks
contribute to early career teacher resilience through providing emotional support, advice and
professional knowledge, as well as providing a forum in which teachers could be listened to and
appreciated. Furthermore, informal support networks help early career teachers feel more confident
and competent."
Little wisdoms
"Dont wait for the stars to be aligned. Reach up and rearrange them the way you want. Create
your own constellation www.heartmath.org . "
Building new relationships
First thoughts
Being vocal and introducing myself in new environments. Asking questions and getting to know the
role they play in the school, and their personal experiences. Listening as well as being active in the
school community.
My thoughts on "Put your best foot forward"
Involve yourself in school activities. By becoming an active member of the school, and engaging in
professional conversation along the way, a foundation for more personal relationships with staff is
formed.
New ideas
 Get involved with the school community and activities. Start conversation in the staff room and with
your mentor - introduce yourself, remain professional, and get to know staff personally. Talk with
students' parents before and after school.
Tips
"Identify the social networks between staff and keep a neutral position in any potential disputes."
"Try not to get drawn into negativity find colleagues who have a positive approach to their work
and actively seek them out for conversation and company."
"Sometimes new teachers can think they are the only teachers experiencing challenges. Seek out
others who are experiencing the same challenges as you and share strategies."
"Identify a like-minded colleague at your workplace who you are comfortable talking to - and
remember to listen as well."
"When discussing teaching and learning with your mentor teacher, be sure to respect their
experience and views."
"When responding to feedback focus on the issue and how it can be improved. A problem solving
approach will help you manage feedback that might not be overly positive. An area for
improvement is an area for growth! Continual improvement is important for all teachers, no matter
how long they have been teaching."
"Always be respectful of your mentor teachers approach to teaching and established classroom
practices and routines. Even if these practices are not ones you intend to use when you start your
career, it can be a valuable learning experience to enact these and reflect on the effect on teaching
and learning."
"Set some goals that your mentor can assist you with. Use these to plan mentoring sessions in
advance, so you can be most productive in the time you spend together."
"Be approachable
Let others get to know you on a personal level, rather than just as a colleague."
"Be positive
In order to get along with a variety of colleagues, be positive in your interactions with and about
them. Avoid talking negatively about colleagues and don't engage in workplace gossip."
"Be professional
Be professional in your approach to your work and in your communication (verbal and written) with
colleagues. This is a good way of showing and generating respect."
"Be dependable
If you commit to doing something ensure you do it. Dont make excuses."
"Learn about the culture and history of the school before you start and perhaps share some
information about yourself with your new colleagues (send a photo?)."
"Quickly become familiar with school policies and procedures and follow these."
"Attend events run by the school, such as a family picnic. Take this opportunity to connect with
families and other staff."
Quotes
"A resilient teacher is one who can develop meaningful relationships within the school to help
provide support when required and one who can contribute support to others when required"
What do the experts say?
"Many researchers have emphasised the importance of relationships in teacher resilience (see for
example, Day & Gu, 2014; Ebershn, 2012; Le Cornu, 2013; Papatrianou & Le Cornu, 2014).
Some researchers have discussed the importance of relational resilience. This means that
resilience is characterised as not an exclusively individual trait, but as a process that occurs in
relationships with students, teaching colleagues, peers, family, leaders and parents (Le Cornu,
2013). Le Cornu argues that positive relationships provide early career teachers with passion,
pleasure and enthusiasm to sustain their career and consolidate their sense of self-worth,
connection and belongingness. Furthermore, Day and Gu (2014) contend that relationships lie at
the centre of teachers work and lives and that teacher resilience building processes are relational."
Module "i": Wellbeing
Personal Wellbeing
First thoughts
Trying to have regular work breaks to rest eyes and brain. Trying to spend breaks away from the
work environment for leisure and social activities. Sleeping well.
My thoughts on "I am feeling so stressed out "
Try to sustain a more healthy diet rather than coffee and chocolates for better mood and energy.
Organise yourself and prioritise time for both work and life. Sleep, exercise, organisation and
leisure time will assist with performance.
New ideas
Organising myself through listing priorities in order of urgency. Creating routine breaks by
dedicating days/times for leisure activities/exercise. Having regular food breaks for nutritious
meals, not unhealthy snacks.
Tips
"Be proactive rather than reactive. Know what causes you to feel stressed and do what you can to
prevent it occurring."
"Prioritise if you are stressed about the amount of work you need to do, make a list of priorities
and attend to the top priorities first."
"Know what activity helps you relax and unwind and do this regularly."
"Look after yourself physically through: A healthy diet

Start the day with a healthy breakfast and prepare nourishing snacks and meals for the school day.

Eat something nutritious at recess and lunch time and have an after school snack to avoid the pre-
dinner cravings.
Stay hydrated throughout the day to keep up your energy for the hard work of teaching.
Poor diet is not only linked to poor physical health but can also negatively affect mood - eating well
will positively contribute to your mood .
If you are teaching about food groups to your students take your own advice and be a positive role
model!
What to avoid? Relying on chocolate, coffee alcohol or other substances for relaxation or relief can
have unintended negative effects!
"
What do the experts say?
"Teaching has been identified by health professionals as a vulnerable occupation that generates a
higher level of burnout than other college-educated jobs (Dworkin, 2009). Within that context,
healthy self-care habits such as diet, exercise, and sleep have been found to provide teachers with
emotional and physical strength (Albrecht, Johns, Mounsteven, & Olorunda, 2009; Curry & OBrien,
2011; Hemmings & Hockley, 2002). In a national survey of 1,201 K-12 teachers in the United
States, Richards (2012) revealed a number of strategies resilient teachers employed to enhance
their well-being and thus coping capacity, for example, making time for themselves, making time for
recreational activities, socialising with friends, and practising solitude and meditation."
Work-life balance
First thoughts
Try to dedicate specific days to leisure and social activities
My thoughts on "All I seem to do is work "
Decide what is most important and urgent to compete and organise priorities. Manage your time by
completing only the important and urgent matters first, then having down-time before completing
less important tasks.
New ideas
 Write a list to prioritise tasks. Form a routine with work and life priorities so that there is always time
for both. Plan ahead so that there is less of an overload of work, and no clashing with "life"
priorities.
Tips
"Ask a friend or family member to remind you about work-life balance by inviting you out when you
seem to be consumed by work."
"Remember there are always more tasks to do when youre a teacher, but you need to be rested
and well to perform at your best in the classroom."
"Decide what is important and urgent, important but not urgent, and not important and not urgent.
Then make decisions accordingly about how you will allocate your time."
Little wisdoms
"Remember Parkinson's Law: work expands to fill the time you make available to it.. "
Maintaining motivation
First thoughts
A passion for helping and working with children. A passion for improving learning and expanding
knowledge of both the students' and themselves.
My thoughts on "How will I make it to the end of the term?"
Remind yourself why you decided to become a teacher and what your purpose is. Find inspirational
messages and positive people to surround yourself with. Maintain a work-life balance.
New ideas
Remind yourself of the reason why you teach and your goals. Maintain a positive attitude and
recognise strengths as well as things to improve on in teaching. Maintain enjoyment and
engagement in teaching by maintaining wellbeing and work-life balance
Tips
"When reflecting, be sure to identify the positive aspects of your lesson/day as well as the things
youd like to improve."
"In a challenging situation focus on what you can do to make it better. Use problem solving skills
(see T Module) and take action."
"Find optimistic colleagues and learn from how they approach their work. Note strategies that you
think you can use too."
Quotes
"A resilient teacher is a teacher who is able to think positively and see the big picture to help them
get through stressful situations"
What do the experts say?
"To be emotionally resilient, perfectionism and self-blaming should be reduced and negative
mindsets such as I cant do it or I cant be bothered should be avoided (Bernard, n.d.). Positive
self-talk, together with humour, have been used by new teachers in remote and rural Western
Australian schools use to reduce stress and enhance their coping capacity (Sharplin, ONeill, &
Chapman, 2011). In a large-scale study of teacher resilience in the United States, Richards (2012)
found that a number of teachers were able to sustain themselves in the face of adversity by holding
positive attitudes and letting go of things that were out of their control. Likewise, Cohen (2009)
reported that teachers who held positive assumptions about their students and were able to forget
unhappy moments and move forward were more likely to persist and survive in unfavourable
teaching environments."
Module "T": Taking initiative
Communicating effectively
First thoughts
Being able to listen
My thoughts on ""I thought this was my room""
Set boundaries and politely turn-down the extra work you have been asked to do. Take advantage
of the team-teach program and EA, not over-assigning yourself responsibilities, but working as a
team. Make meeting with parents your first responsibility.
New ideas
Be assertive when communicating with colleagues so that you have an input without being
aggressive and controlling. Listen and negotiate solutions with colleagues.
Tips
"Be open to other viewpoints.

You dont have to agree with the speaker but it is important to try your best to fully understand the
situation and context.
Sometimes situations are more complex than they initially seem, so refrain from making
judgements, criticising or attributing blame. Try to understand the multiple viewpoints in a situation.
Be open to developing relationships with a variety of people.
"
"Adjust your communication to suit the speaker and context.

Use a tone of voice appropriate for the person with which you are speaking (student, parent,
colleague).

Consider culturally appropriate ways of communication, particularly when speaking with parents
and students from minority groups.

Consider also the emotional state of the person you are talking to. Use tone and nonverbal cues
appropriate to the situation.

"
"Negotiate solutions to problems."
"Assertive communicators often use I statements. An I statement has 3 parts:

I feel.
because /when.
I want.

e.g. I feel embarrassed / awkward interrupting / asking for your time when you are so busy but I
want to find out how things are done here."
"Colleagues know what its like to be a new teacher, so its okay to say something like -

Id love to help but I have a really busy week ahead.

Thanks for thinking of me, but I wont be able to help this time.
"
Problem Solving
First thoughts
 Trying to look for creative solutions. Breaking processes down logically to find solutions. Asking for
help from colleagues.
My thoughts on "Not quite picture-perfect"
Reflect on the impact this has on the planned lessons and if you know of changes that can be
made. Resort to a back-up or go-to activity. Ask your mentor for advice.
New ideas
Having a back up plan or activity pre-arranged in case of complications. Ask self-reflection
questions in order to decide how to move forward. seeking advice, help or constructive criticism
from mentors.
Tips
"Have a Plan B. This may involve a change in resources, student groupings, sequence of activities
and assessment criteria. Considering an alternative not only provides you with a survival strategy,
but also gives you time to think about other possibilities."
"Have a bag of tricks activities that will engage the students and perhaps provide a distraction to
the current problem and/or situation (examples may include subject hang-man, subject bingo,
writing a communal story / question response, quizlets or a focused activity review comprising of 1
learned item + 1 question + 1 comment)."
"Refer to your university materials and recommended texts."
"Recognise that whether you are a pre-service teacher or early career teacher, you are at the
beginning of the journey, and there is no stigma or embarrassment about your context. Sharing
your stories helps you and others too!"
Little wisdoms
""Plan Plan PLAN, BUT accept that any of your wonderful plans could be challenged, not only by a
difficult class, but by changes in timetable, extra-curricular events, room changes etc. etc. etc." ~
(early career teacher). "
Ongoing professional learning
First thoughts
Going to regular professional development seminars
My thoughts on "My best friends, the APST"
Check against the standards of areas you are important for you to improve. Ensure that the goal
proposed does not conflict with other standards and that it is realistic and challenging. Write it out
in detail and use to self-reflect and monitor.
New ideas
Continuously seeking help and accepting constructive criticism from mentors. Observing and
listening to new ideas/strategies of colleagues and PDs. Self-reflect and regularly ask yourself
questions about your teaching process.
Module "E": Emotions
What do you think are some characteristics of emotionally competent
teachers?
Empathetic; understanding; caring; want to keep students engaged, motivated to learn.
Enhancing emotional awareness
First thoughts
People were reacting on emotion alone. Un-managed negative emotions lead to unreasonable
outbursts.
My thoughts on ""
New ideas
Emotions are inevitable and normal, especially in teaching; however, it is important to remain in
control of the behaviours they may lead to. Try to remain positive, model emotional control, and
recognise the emotions of students.
Tips
"Studies show that if people adjust their facial expression to reflect an emotion, they actually begin
to feel that emotion."
"The next time you experience an emotion track the thoughts that are accompanying the emotion.
Analyse why you may be thinking these thoughts and ask yourself if there are any alternative ways
of thinking about the situation.."
Managing emotions
My thoughts on ""
New ideas
Awareness of emotions, Check thoughts, Try alternatives and think of appropriate ways to respond.
Maintain optimistic thinking and not taking things personally. Identifying triggers and finding
strategies for avoiding/managing these.
Tips
"Next time you experience an emotion try the ACT steps. Reflect on which of these steps you
currently use."
"Teach your students about managing their emotions. This is important at all levels of schooling.
You may be able to role model some strategies to help your students."
Developing optimism
My thoughts on ""
New ideas
Optimism helps general mental health, resilience and persistence in teaching and reaching
teaching goals. Use of humour, and the ability to laugh at mistakes, seeing these mistakes as
growth opportunities, and reflecting on what was done well.
Tips
"See the solutions not the problems."
"Work on the things you can control."
"Using humour with your students can be a good way of building relationships, easing tension and
developing a comfortable working environment."
"Avoid using sarcasm with students or using humour to make fun of others."
"Teachers sometimes use playful humour to teach content, for example through games, parodies,
puns, stories and creativity. This can also enhance students engagement "
Quotes
 "A resilient teacher has a positive outlook, a friendly, calm disposition, is self-confident and reliable
and doesnt sweat the small stuff"
"A resilient teacher must have a good sense of humour kids excel when they feel safe, respected
and know they are still allowed to laugh"
"A resilient teacher can laugh about the bad/stressful events that occur and does her best to start
each day with a happy attitude"
What do the experts say?
"Important aspects of emotional competence for teachers include the capacity to manage feelings,
persist, handle stress and confront failure with optimism (Tait, 2008, p. 60). Optimism is an
important cognitive filter (Forgeard & Seligman, 2012) that influences an individuals perception of
the world and interpretation of events, which in turn influences reactions and adaptive processes.
Optimism has been associated with numerous positive consequences such as higher levels of
subjective well-being, fewer symptoms of depression, and use of adaptive coping strategies
(Forgeard & Seligman, 2012). Teacher resilience researchers have also described optimism as an
important protective factor for teacher resilience (Beltman, Mansfield & Price, 2012; Tait, 2008) and
well-being. Tyson, Roberts and Kane (2009) suggest the possibility that teachers using an
optimistic thinking and resilience program (Aussie Optimism) with their students may also benefit.
Their findings showed teachers involved in the program had lower levels of job related anxiety and
depression."