Sometimes you will struggle to find ideas to keep your students interested and stimulated. Ask THEM to inspire YOUR creativity. This will help you to build rapport by fostering a collaborative working environment, and in turn engage them.

Your challenge: Instead of trying to guess what your students would like to see and hear in your classroom, ask them.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

No one likes being shouted at, even if it is deserved. There are healthier ways of dealing with indiscipline and bad behaviour.

Your challenge: challenge negative behaviour by having a reflective conversation with your student. Ask them what happened, and how it can be avoided in the future.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Stay hydrated. You probably already know that 60% of your body is made up of water; but did you know that drinking water also helps boost brain function, improve performance, and reduce the risk of headaches?

Your challenge: Drink at least one litre of water at school.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Calming music played subtly in your classroom can boost levels of dopamine, the chemical responsible for stress relief. However, listening to your favourite songs can hinder learning, especially if they contain lyrics.

Your challenge: Play instrumental or classical music in your most challenging class. Type in “study music” on YouTube.com and explore your options.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Teaching is one of the most stressful and demanding jobs out there. Pay attention to your breathing. It is scientifically proven that deep breathing techniques helps to reduce stress.

Your challenge: Use the following breathing technique: Inhale deeply through your nose. Hold your breath for 5 seconds. Breathe out through your nose. Repeat

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

It is scientifically proven that a clean and clear workspace boosts not only productivity but feelings of positivity. Your workspace reflects your state of mind.

Your challenge: Clear your desk and workspace.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Allow students to fail. Sometimes you might want to protect your students from the crushing weight of disappointment, or you might think that their failure is a reflection of you. However, it’s in the mistakes and failures that they develop resilience.

Your challenge: Share a failure that you experienced with your students and how you used the lesson learnt to grow.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

As a teacher, you teach skills not just lessons; coaching your students to develop and cultivate communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills. You are training them. As you know, training is frustrating, and it takes time.

Your challenge: Pick one skill and focus on developing that skill in one of your lessons.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Be patient. Teaching is like gardening. The reality is, some of the concepts, skills, and life lessons that you teach your students, will blossom and bloom long after they have left your class and even the school system itself.

Your challenge: Spend the first 5 minutes of a lesson, explaining the metaphor of the garden to your students and their responsibility to nurture their learning.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

When teaching, be aware that things will not go according to plan. Lessons may fall flat, behaviour could spiral out of control, students may not respond how you expected. Get over it! These things don’t make you a bad teacher.

Your challenge: At the end of the school day write in your journal one thing that didn’t go according to plan and how you “improvised, adapted, and overcame”

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk