Mindfulness for NQTs: Self-awareness
by Alison Laycock
Throughout all the other posts in this series, self-awareness has been a continual thread just as it is within teaching, no matter what stage you are at. No matter how self-aware you think you are at this point as you start your career, you will find out so much more about yourself throughout every other stage of development. Some of this self-awareness will come from you, your own natural development and progression, from your mentors and especially from your students. Every single student will bring you more and more awareness about who you are, who you want to be as a teacher and how you will allow yourself to change.
Self-awareness will help you in so many situations through knowing your qualities, areas of improvement and also knowing what feels right for you in your teaching. This allows you to step back from your performance and view it objectively so you won’t need to wait for someone else’s feedback on how a lesson went before knowing. That doesn’t mean that you stop learning, instead you learn more as you will be able to remain open to the real areas of development, learning and CPD for you.
You will be able to hone in on your intuition which will also help you see the whole individual in yourself and perhaps more importantly, you’ll be able to see the whole child in front of you rather than only seeing them as the student in your subject/ class.
I know that my self-awareness has helped me so much in my personal and professional life over the years.
Every day throughout August, these tips will be shared across social media so I’m including my links here. Throughout August, I’m offering meditation/ mindfulness sessions for NQTS/teachers and school staff on 4th, 11th, 18th and 20th August at 7-7.45pm via ZOOM. If interested, please email Alison at info@beingthebestyoucanbe.org
Follow me across social media if you aren’t already to have access to the tips every day:
Facebook: Being the Best You Can Be
Twitter: @alisonlaycock23
LinkedIn: Alison Laycock
You Tube channel: Being the Best You Can Be
I’m also offering 25% off all courses for NQTs who wish to develop their mindfulness and compassion skills and resources more. The courses on offer are the 8 week MBSR programme with sessions lasting 120 mins and there are also 6 week Mindfulness and Compassion courses which last 60 mins each session. If you prefer workshops rather than courses then these are also available and can be checked out and booked via http://www.beingthebestyoucanbe.org
