Wellbeing in Education is a Collective Responsibility

A supportive environment encourages children to express themselves and discover their talents and skills. The freedom for dialogue introduces them to differed opinions and therefore, a growing awareness of their own unique voice. This sense of inclusion gives them the confidence to respect what they bring to the discussion and learn from others to expand their world view. The culture of inclusion is necessary for student wellbeing.

Building a sense of community within classrooms is vitally important for managing discipline and nurturing children who can think beyond their own needs.

The concept of discipline in a community is collective in nature and therefore the role of each member needs to be defined well for them to feel responsible for their words, actions or contributions. Wellbeing amongst children is strongly associated with the environment. A child facing difficulties will not be able to think through their challenges in isolation. The triggers in the classroom community will need to be addressed before any change is seen plausible.

Therefore, raising a classroom community that understands their roles and thrives on solutions and the approach to help each other meet their targets and goals is the only form of discipline that will create long-term impact and change. The ability to help, support, and encourage their peers gives children a strong sense of purpose and achievement. The idea of shared success builds a community of happy learners.

Wellbeing for teachers encompasses realistic expectations and having a voice in decision-making.

Empowering teachers to participate in decision-making and curriculum development gives them a strong sense of ownership and responsibility for their learners. Schools that lead initiatives that engage teachers’ ideas and opinions on teaching practices and methodologies develop a culture of sharing, motivating and celebrating positive impact with quality education.

Appreciation is a pivotal indicator when it comes to teacher wellbeing. How appreciated do teachers feel within their school environment? Schools that recognise both academic and non-academic initiatives and gestures led by teachers create a supportive work environment that celebrates teachers for their kindness, individuality and creative capabilities.

Teacher dissatisfaction at work often stems from unrealistic expectations. Assigning roles to teachers through rushed decisions, with a purpose to fill gaps or finding the temptation for short term fixes leads to stress and conflict. For any teacher, the inability to make a difference is a nagging thought that leads to immense unhappiness. Teachers feel most productive when the job assigned leverages their expertise and they are able to make a positive impact.

The parental wellbeing is closely connected to their child’s educational journey and realistic expectations. Their satisfaction comes from knowing that their child is progressing through school, meeting the set targets and finding the appreciation for their talents.

Therefore, building trust and setting transparent expectations for parents at the beginning of the school year is essential to establish a healthy partnership between home and school.

A great activity to begin this relationship at the start of the school year is to ask parents to draft a list of expectations. This activity helps teachers identify underlying parental anxieties especially when the lists end up detailed and over-demanding. Identification of stressed parents helps carve a more efficient communications plan which holds mutually agreed upon check points, meeting schedules and brief calls for the children’s progress and updates. Timely intervention keeps parents at peace and this in turn helps them build a less chaotic relationship with their children who feel at ease witnessing all stakeholders on their side.

In conclusion, nurturing a culture of wellbeing in education requires a vigilant check. Integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) into the curriculum, providing teachers with necessary professional development opportunities to grow, and facilitating mental health awareness through dedicated resources and campaigns for students, teachers and parents benefits all.

Wellbeing in education is a collective responsibility.

Contributed by: Shama Noman Voices of Future Generations and Education Development Manager, Emirates Literature Foundation