With a looming teacher shortage of up to 4100 teachers, it’s more important than ever to support teacher wellbeing, and in particular, early career teachers. It is these new graduates and beginning teachers who will provide the backbone for our education system over the next decade.
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Speaking in 2023, Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said that of all the students who start a teaching degree, only 50 percent finish it. Of those who do finish, 20 percent leave within the first three years. Fostering positive wellbeing in early career teachers will ensure and that they build a long, prosperous career, and that strong candidates continue to be attracted to the profession.
We often talk about positive wellbeing but what does it look like in practice? We spoke to Steve Francis from Happy School, a leading educator with more than 30 years experience in education and a passionate advocate for positive wellbeing in schools.
What pressures do teachers face in these early years that can impact their wellbeing?
First year teachers arrive full of energy and enthusiasm and inspired to make a difference in the world. Unfortunately, that bubble can be quickly burst with the reality of their workload. There are a lot of competing priorities – classroom management, engaging learning experiences, inclusive practices, curriculum knowledge, demanding parents and staff dynamics to navigate. It can be overwhelming for early career teachers who mean well.
Early career teachers want to master all aspects of their role immediately. They are susceptible to working excessive, long hours and comparing themselves with experienced teachers. This leads to physical and emotional burnout.
Why is establishing healthy wellbeing habits in early career teachers so important?
There is a lot for early career teachers to learn. They want to do a good job and get a high level of job satisfaction. They want to make a difference. However, if they don’t learn how to moderate their expectations, manage their time, conserve their energy levels and look after their wellbeing they are at higher risk of absenteeism and disengaging.
When a teacher’s well-being suffers, they go into survival mode. They cut back on their discretionary efforts and stick to the essential components of their work.
How does your Happy Teacher program support the wellbeing of early career teachers?
Early career teachers receive a weekly, one page article containing practical wellbeing tips and strategies. Teacher wellbeing is not a one size fits all solution. Our Happy Teacher program is designed to help early career teachers make informed choices about their wellbeing.
The challenges that teachers face in their first three years are specific to the time of the school year and their experience. The guidance a first-year teacher needs in week one of Term 1 is different to what would help a teacher in their second or third year of teaching.
The Happy Teacher articles have been specifically written for each of the first three years of teaching and are timed to address the stress points they are likely to face at that time of the term. For example, hosting their very first parent-teacher interviews, prioritising their ‘to do’ list, working well with colleagues and finishing strong at the end of the term.
To celebrate each semester, we send each registered teacher a bonus resource. Our “It’s Worth It” box has proven especially popular amongst first year teachers. It is designed to stay with them throughout their career, to collect and store notes or cards of appreciation, to reflect upon when times are tough.
How did you become active in the teacher wellbeing space, and why are you so passionate about it?
I completed my Masters research on teacher stress. Teaching has always been in the top five professions for stress. There are a couple of key reasons for this. Educators work with people all day every day. If you asked parents what is the most important thing in their life, 99 percent of parents would say their kids. They are more important to them than their house, their car or anything they own. That’s what makes me passionate about teacher wellbeing. Each day parents entrust the most important thing in their lives to educators. It’s no wonder our work is so stressful and important.
When my daughter also became a teacher, I saw the demands on teachers continue to be ramped up. If we don’t support teachers early in their career and can’t attract people to want to be teachers, then that is going to have a massive negative impact on society. You can’t have a great school without great teachers.
As a result of my Masters research, and my first-hand experience as a teacher and Principal, I developed the Happy School and Happy Teacher programs to provide schools and teaching staff with tailored, practical support for each stage of the school year, and their teaching journey.
