Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, Elke Wallace hosts Tem Ezimokhai, the founder of the "Helping Teachers Thrive" podcast. Tem, a secondary education teacher with 16 years of experience, shares her journey into teaching, driven by a desire to help people and avoid a traditional 9-to-5 office job. The discussion delves into the evolving challenges faced by teachers, including increased workload, administrative tasks and behavioural issues in the classroom, often stemming from students' struggles with anxiety post-Covid. Tem highlights the importance of well-being and work-life balance for teachers, which prompted her to start her podcast. The conversation also touches on the increasing prevalence of special educational needs (SEN) in schools and the need for better staff awareness and training regarding conditions like ADHD and autism. Both Tem and Elke emphasize the significance of empathy and understanding the unseen struggles of students and parents. Key Takeaways: · Passion for Teaching: Tem Ezimokhai became a teacher out of a love for helping people and the desire for a dynamic, unpredictable work environment outside of a typical office setting. · Challenges in Education: Teaching has become more challenging due to increased workload, administrative burdens, and a rise in student behavioural issues and anxiety, especially after Covid. · Importance of Support Systems: Supportive leadership and well-being initiatives within schools are crucial for teachers. · Teacher Well-being: Prioritizing work-life balance and learning to say no are essential for teachers to prevent burnout. · Dealing with Negativity: Teachers should avoid taking things personally, recognizing that students and parents may be projecting their own struggles. · Celebrating Small Wins: Keeping notes of positive feedback and small achievements can serve as powerful reminders on challenging days. · Special Educational Needs: There is a growing need for greater understanding, awareness, and specific training for teachers on various special educational needs, beyond just hyperactivity for conditions like ADHD. · Collaboration and Creativity: Teachers should collaborate and share resources to find creative ways to engage students, especially those with diverse learning needs, by linking lessons to their interests. Guest Bio: Tem Ezimokhai is a passionate secondary education teacher with 16 years of experience. Driven by a desire to support her colleagues, she founded the "Helping Teachers Thrive" podcast. Through her podcast, webinars and exclusive content, Tem aims to empower teachers with strategies for time management, classroom confidence, behaviour management and overall well-being to combat burnout and promote a healthier work-life balance. She can be found on all social media channels, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. Resources and Links: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ag/podcast/helping-teachers-thrive/id1681843058 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0tcyu2Y1I4vKJwTotxmOQp?si=f516b4d21c2d4004 The Helping Teachers Thrive Hub: https://www.patreon.com/c/thehelpingteachersthrivehub?view_as=patron LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tem-ezimokhai-23306a263 Keywords: Teaching, Education, Teacher Well-being, Work-Life Balance, Classroom Management, Behaviour Management, Special Educational Needs (SEN), ADHD, Autism, Professional Development, Teacher Support, Burnout Prevention, Mental Health, Secondary Education, Podcast. Tune in and Subscribe: Don’t forget to download the episode and subscribe to “Exploring Brain and Mind” for more fascinating discussions on leadership, mindset, some neuroscience and more subjects closely or loosely linked to the subject. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with someone who could benefit from Andy’s story and strategies. Further information and links about Host Elke Wallace: To find out more about Mastering Your Mind Matters and its range of services, please visit www.masteringyourmindmatters.com. Email: welcome@masteringyourmindmatters.com To find out more about the host you can follow Elke Wallace on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elke-a-wallace Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElkeWallaceBusiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elkeawallace TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@e.ahttps://www.instagram.com/elkeawallace/.wallace?lang=en Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/exploring-brain-and-mind/exclusive-content
