Teach Middle East Magazine Sep-Dec 2019 Issue 1 Volume 7 | Page 6

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE “ Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind, and spirit. It is the realisation that everything we do, think, feel, and believe has an effect on our state of well-being . ” GREG ANDERSON M I D D L E E A S T Teach Middle East Magazine ® EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Welcome to the academic year 2019-2020. I was very happy to see the number of schools across the region especially in the United Arab Emirates, that deviated from the “normal” ways of welcoming teachers to the new school year and adopted a new, and in my opinion better approach. Instead of a back to school week, packed with boring PowerPoint driven professional development sessions, teachers in many schools were treated to massages, yoga sessions, days out, among other more enjoyable options. Returning to work after the summer holidays can be a very stressful time for educators, added to that, is the fact that many educators have moved schools, cities or even countries, so the last thing they need is to sit idly, watching someone read copious amounts of information from a PowerPoint. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against PowerPoints, but I strongly believe that the first interactions that teachers have with their schools at the start of the new academic year, should be something that invigorates them and fill them with hope and optimism to face the tasks they have in front of them. As the quote above states, wellness is vital, but It takes work, and as educators, we have to be especially intentional about prioritising our wellbeing. As a mother and an educator, I know how difficult it is to take care of yourself while fulfilling all your other obligations, but you simply must. You have heard the saying; you cannot pour from an empty cup. This is especially true for educators who give of themselves to their students every day. Take time to refill your cup. You have to decide what energises and recharges you, and when you know what it is, make a commitment 06 Term 1 Sep - Dec 2019 to yourself that you will do it. Learn to use your no. Refuse to be on every committee, find hacks and technology which will save you time and energy. By the time you are reading this magazine, you would have met your students, take time to talk to them about their wellbeing and things they can do to take care of themselves. The time spent helping students improve their wellbeing will pay dividends academically and in other areas. Let's make this the year we take care of ourselves and each other. Now I know that I have said a mouthful but wait there is more. The pages of this issue of Teach Middle East Magazine is loaded with gems to help you have a fantastic school year, so keep on reading. Our writers, who are also educators from the Middle East and further afield, have provided articles to help you with teaching and learning, education technology, and so much more. We have also offered great articles to help you conquer life outside the classroom in the After The Bell section. Delve into the world of travel, personal development, finance and health. You are invited to attend the upcoming Middle East School Leadership Conference, taking place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2019. For more information and to register, please visit www.schoolleadersme.com. Please check out our social media platforms on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn., I wish you all academic year! Leisa Grace Wilson Editorial Director. Class Time an amazing Leisa Grace Wilson [email protected] [phone] ART DIRECTOR Pandian [email protected] [phone] HEAD OF ADVERTISING Richard Simapili Business Development Manager [email protected] [phone] PUBLISHED BY Moftah Publishing FZ LLC (Registered at Fujairah Creative City) ADVERTISING [email protected] GENERAL ENQUIRIES [email protected] WEBSITE www.teachmiddleeastmag.com www.facebook.com/ TeachMiddleEastMagazine Copyright 2019 Moftah Publishing FZ LLC. All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of Moftah Publishing FZ LLC. Where opinion is expressed, it is that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the editorial views of the publisher or Teach Middle East Magazine. All information in Teach Middle East Magazine is checked and verified to the best of the publisher’s ability, however, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any mistake or omission enclosed in the publication.