Taking a Pragmatic Approach to Teacher Workload

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A discussion with Kat Howard, author of Stop Talking About WellbeingIn this interview with Kat Howard, author of Stop Talking About Wellbeing: A Pragmatic Approach to Teacher Workload (John Catt Educational), learn key factors that affect the role of teachers in schools and the tools available to help them attain wellbeing through purposeful job fulfillment.

Howard is looking to flip the script on wellbeing. She offers up an individualized concept rather than the often generalized response. To her, it’s imperative to be mindful of the personal interpretation when looking to support teachers at a systemic level. “The underlying premise of the book is the fact that you can’t dictate what makes people feel good on an individual level,” she reiterates. To Howard, it’s about retention and recruitment. It takes supporting people with a reasonable and manageable workload so they can succeed and remain happy. Wellbeing becomes the outcome of all of the support, systems, and processes put into place.

As you listen to the interview, think through the following questions and consider your views. Consider areas you find most intriguing, engaging, and joyful in your practice:

• How do you conceptualize and think about the term “wellbeing,” and what does it mean to achieve wellbeing in your teaching life?

• In what areas are you feeling most stressed and overwhelmed? Do you think having more autonomy and control of your professional development would help relieve stressors?

• What variables or factors of the school environment do you feel are diminishing teachers’ wellbeing overall?

• When it comes to curriculum development, do you feel your school is active in pursuing your opinion on certain subjects? Or is the environment more suited for observing?

• Does wellbeing take on an entirely different meaning with COVID-19? How concerned are you as an educator in this present pandemic climate? Should educators be recognized more along the lines of health care providers and frontline workers?

Learn more about Kat Howard’s book, Stop Talking About Wellbeing, and more great John Catt Educational publications, by visiting us.johncattbookshop.com

About Kat Howard:

Kat is a teacher, Founder of LitdriveUK, a non-profit organization dedicated to resource and CPD provision for English teachers worldwide, and East Midlands representative for the MTPT Project. Prior to working in education, she worked in the financial sector, overseeing recruitment, training, and operations as Retail Area Manager for the North West region.

Kat regularly delivers workshops around research-informed practice, managing teacher workload, and wellbeing on a practical level and collaboration within education. 

In addition, she presents workshops with an English subject specialism, as well as leadership sessions for nationally accredited organizations. She writes for a range of publications, including her own blog, where she muses over aspects of the education profession that interests her. 

Previous collaborations include work with: TES, Impact, Teachwire, National College of Teaching and Leadership, PiXL, ResearchEd, Department of Education, BBC Bitesize, and the University of Birmingham. In addition, she visits schools to support English curriculum design.

Her most recent book, Stop Talking About Wellbeing is currently available at John Catt Educational

Author

1. The Times of India – Teacher wellbeing & self-care in Covid times
2. Psychology Today – 6 Tiny Ways To Support Teacher Well-being
3. edCircuit – Achieving Classroom Mastery Through Responsive Teaching