A note from Trudy
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to Teachers Thriving Issue #2 - the Balance Issue.
Achieving balance is a challenge that many educators struggle with. As you absorb the career articles in this issue, the theme of balance emerges in everyone's story.
Director and curator of Australia's education innovation event, EduChange, Summer Howarth emphases the importance of collaborating with others throughout her career and in her current work in bringing teachers together to make a difference in their practice.
Author and recovering teacher, Gabbie Stroud talks about life since leaving the classroom and writing her book, 'TEACHER: One woman's struggle to keep the heart in teaching'. Her book is included in the Book Shelf review in this issue.
An interview with Alex MacGregor, the teacher, blogger and stylist behind 'whattheteacherwears' shows there's more to her career than the stylish images in her Instagram feed.
High school art and media teacher, Larissa Warren from Ratbag Studios discusses the development of her career and art practice. She shares her ceramic work in this issue's arts feature.
At Peppermint Ridge Farm, Julie Weatherhead has used her knowledge and expertise as a biology and environmental science teacher to establish a multifaceted business with her husband.
I have been delightfully surprised to see how each of the contributors has addressed the theme of 'balance' from different perspectives.
Ellen Ronalds Keene gives an excellent analogy for achieving balance and makes the argument that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work in the quest for a balanced life.
Lynne Foley makes a case for the importance of maintaining balanced leadership behaviours. I'm sure you can recount when you have been on the receiving end of 'unbalanced' leadership. Conversely, there are lessons in reflecting on the balance and impact of our own behaviours.
In the balancing act of communication, Dr Kathy Murray explains what is happening with the brain and how building self-awareness is key to being a better communicator.
Practical tips on managing everything on your 'To Do' list are provided by Katrina Bourke.
I have introduced a new feature in this edition. The Think Tank asks educators in different roles with various experiences to share their perspective on one topic. In this issue, we start with mentoring.
Charmaine Prasad, a teacher and self-confessed theme park junkie, gives her top tips for planning a family holiday to Disney World and Universal Studios in the travel field notes.
May you find inspiration in these pages as you strive for balance in your own life and career.
Cheers,
Trudy