Reconnect with your ‘why’: reflective exercise

Do you ever ask yourself “Why did I decide to work in education?”

Dr Shiri Lavy and Shira Bocker state in their research ‘Teachers and educators often report that their career choice stems from a sense of mission and from a desire to create a better future or society. Their motivations to become teachers include making a positive difference, being a role model, reaping the rewards of a fulfilling and challenging career, sharing their love of learning, and enjoying being and working with children.

Does this resonate for you? If so, consider this reflective exercise, to help you connect with that motivation.

Reflective exercise: remembering your ‘why’

Regardless of your role in education - teacher, school business manager, teaching assistant or lunchtime supervisor, you are who you are because you made a decision to work in a school setting. And, there will have been reasons behind this decision. In her book, Joy in Teaching, Dr Tiffany Carr suggests that taking time to reflect on our day, our practice, and our reactions is a key piece in reclaiming our joy in teaching.

As you ponder each question, remember you do not have to share your answers with anyone, be open and honest with yourself. You might be surprised how powerful writing your thoughts down can feel.

Once you have finished writing your answers down, walk away from your piece of paper and take a few moments to clear your head.

Then, sit back down and take a look at your answers again. Ask yourself:

• Is there anything that has surprised you?
• Has anything shined a light on any particularly joyful themes in your current working life?
• Is there anything you want to hold onto, or make more time for?  

Take a moment to read your answers aloud to yourself.

Do they sound any different when you vocalise them?

Need support?

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Sources

• ‘A Path to Teacher Happiness? A Sense of Meaning Affects Teacher-Student Relationships, Which Affect Job Satisfaction’ by Lavy, Shiri and Bocker, Shira, Journal of Happiness Studies, Jun 2018, Vol. 19 Issue 5.
• Joy in Teaching: A Research-Based Framework of Action for Educators, by Tiffany a Carr, 2018.
• ‘A Path to Teacher Happiness? A Sense of Meaning Affects Teacher-Student Relationships, Which Affect Job Satisfaction’ by Lavy, Shiri and Bocker, Shira, Journal of Happiness Studies, Jun 2018, Vol. 19 Issue 5.
• ‘Intrinsic Motivation: The Key to Revolutionise Education, Work and Life’ by Behrouz Moemeni.