Your personal relationships will keep you sane in the midst of the madness that is school. To that end, it is important to keep in touch with loved ones.

Your challenge: Arrange to meet up with a friend or colleague outside of work. Go for that coffee, that movie or salsa class you’ve been talking about. Schedule it today.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

A mentor is an invaluable AND often free resource that is available to you. Mentorship doesn’t need to be formal or time-consuming, but the guidance, support, and wisdom of an educational professional who has years of experience will prove to be priceless.

Your challenge: Ask someone to mentor you, set a day and time where you will have your first session.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Expectations oftentimes define the outcome. Everyone needs someone to believe in them. Set the bar high for your students, personalise it, communicate it, and create an environment where it is okay to fail.

Your challenge: Pick a class and collectively or individually set a higher than usual expectation of their work or behaviour. Be sure to let them know and reaffirm your belief that they will achieve it.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Reinvigorate your love for teaching by dedicating today to fun and enjoyment. What will make you feel good when teaching? What funny video, bad joke, or silly statement can you share with your students?

Your challenge: Pick something fun or enjoyable to share with your students and encourage them to do the same. Don't be afraid of appearing silly.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

We all need boundaries. Set clear, concise, and simple classroom rules, and enforce them AT ALL TIMES. Let them know what the consequences are and follow through without maliciousness.

Your challenge: In partnership with your students, create (or remind them of) three or four classroom rules and the consequences of each rule.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

By listening to your students, you let you them know they are a valued member of the community. By belittling their comments or cutting them off, they will quickly learn not to participate or ask questions. You will create a disengaged student!

Your challenge: Pick a class and be deliberate in actively listening to the answers that your students give. Right or wrong, good, or bad, just listen.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

There is a total of 168 hours in a week. It’s a lie that you don’t have enough time. Don’t use it as an excuse to neglect relationships, creative endeavours, or spiritual pursuits.

Your challenge: Write how many hours you have left in the week once you factor in work and your daily commute. You might be surprised at just how much time is still available to you.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

The people in your school are more than the students, the teachers, ta’s, and your senior leadership team. The backbone of a school are the support staff. It is just common courtesy to treat everyone with equal respect. You never know when you will need someone’s help!

Your challenge: Appreciation day! Pick a non-teaching staff member and without condescension, thank them for something specific they have done for you.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Your students like you, experience bad days and frustrations. We all like to be listened to, hate to be shouted at, and crave reassurances from trusted members of our communities. Your students not any less so.

Your challenge: Select a class or small group of students and go out of your way to have a non-intrusive conversation with them.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Don’t take students’ compliments, criticisms, or bad behaviour personally. There are numerous reasons for a student’s emotional outburst and most of the time, they don’t reflect on you or your teaching.

Your challenge: When faced with challenging behaviour, try to remain calm and remember it’s not all about you.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk