ABSTRACT

The Elephant in the Staffroom is the survival guide that every busy teacher needs for practical advice on teacher wellbeing. Written in an informal, conversational style, the book is divided into 40 bite-size chunks, covering a range of essential topics from understanding and avoiding burnout, to successful working patterns, and even surviving the school holidays!

Complemented by a host of top tips, the book focuses on five key themes:

  • the psychology of the teacher
  • teacher identity
  • emotional and physical energy
  • keeping focused and investing in yourself
  • colleagues, students and inspection

Chapters are designed to be easily dipped in and out of, with each exploring the unique nature of the teaching profession and how to cope with, and conquer, a variety of stress triggers and psychological aspects of teaching – ‘elephants’ in the staffroom – to survive and succeed.

Written by a head of department with over twenty years of classroom experience, this essential guide offers a wealth of practical advice on stress, work-life balance and organisation, and is a must-read for practising teachers.

chapter 3|7 pages

3 Stress – getting personal

part |2 pages

PART 1 The mind of the teacher

chapter 5|4 pages

5 Guilt

chapter 6|6 pages

6 Anxiety and fear

chapter 7|5 pages

7 Anger and frustration

chapter 8|6 pages

8 Depression and reaching rock bottom

part |2 pages

PART 2 Identity

chapter 10|4 pages

Teachers as persons – the practical bit

chapter 11|5 pages

Understanding your purpose

chapter 12|5 pages

Vision and values

chapter 13|4 pages

Identity theft – not just a teacher

chapter 14|5 pages

Boundaries – knowing your limits

chapter 15|5 pages

The myth of work–life balance

chapter 17|5 pages

Confi dence

part |2 pages

PART 3 Energy

chapter 18|5 pages

Energy – the magic ingredient

chapter 20|5 pages

Be positive

chapter 21|4 pages

Shabbat – the importance of rest

chapter 22|4 pages

Let’s do lunch

chapter 23|4 pages

Surviving holidays – withdrawal symptoms

chapter 25|4 pages

Just say ‘no’

part |2 pages

PART 4 Focus

chapter 28|5 pages

Eyes on the ball not on the scoreboard

chapter 29|5 pages

Mindset – compliance vs engagement

chapter 30|5 pages

Keep growing – invest in yourself

chapter 31|4 pages

Teaching as a long game

chapter 32|7 pages

Surviving the year

chapter 33|7 pages

Surviving the week

chapter 34|6 pages

Surviving the day

part |2 pages

PART 5 The others