The GO's Column

Moving On…

I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching Auslan this year, and it has reminded me how much I have missed being in the classroom. It has also reaffirmed that I can still successfully teach and manage classes. As a result, I have decided to take a break from my Guidance Officer role next year and return to classroom teaching. I always say to students, "you do you", so now I am literally practicing what I preach. 😊

I have served as a Guidance Officer for six years, which is the longest I have remained in one position during my 25 years in education. I have always valued the opportunity to take on new challenges and experience different rewards throughout my career. I am excited to share that I have been able to combine my passion for woodworking and metalworking with my love of teaching and will be taking on a Manual Arts teaching position at Lowood State High School next year.

It has been a privilege to have been Guidance Officer here and I wish you all the best of luck with the future and be kind to yourself. Thank you.

Mental Health & The Holidays: Resilience

To get started this holiday season, ask yourself these questions to set your focus and mindset:

• What do you want to be thinking about when you face the upcoming holiday?
• What would you like to remember about this holiday after it’s done?
• If you knew this was your last holiday, what would you prioritize?
• What barriers to joy and happiness will you face during the upcoming months?
• What options do you have for overcoming these barriers?

Then incorporate daily practices to ensure you mindfully incorporate gratitude into your daily life, such as:

• Think of one thing or person you’re grateful for when you wake up in the morning and before you go to sleep at night.
• Use meditation as an opportunity to practice gratitude. Take a few minutes each day to close your eyes, breathe in and out slowly, and focus your mind on positive thoughts.
• Make a gratitude jar. Keep an empty jar, paper and a pen in an accessible place at home. Ask family members to write on a piece of paper one thing that they’re grateful for every day and drop it in the jar. Find time to collectively take a few of the notes out of the jar and enjoy reading one another’s thoughts.

• Notice the things around you that you would miss the most if they were gone. This may include small things like a hot shower or a car that runs, as well as the bigger things, such as your child’s laughter, the house you live in and the friend who sent you a text.

   

  This list of practices isn't exhaustive. It is the intentional focus that creates lasting change.