The reality of schools (for as many years as I have worked in education) is that teachers, Principals, and school staff more broadly run the gauntlet each term at frenetic pace, often collapsing physically and emotionally at the finish line. For many, holidays are spent recovering from exhaustion, sickness, with a short window to reenergise the batteries, and quickly, before doing it all over again next term. Historically, this was a seemingly more manageable task than it is now in 2018. However, the speed and volume at which staff move in contemporary schools is mindboggling, and it is fast becoming obvious that this is no longer a reliable or healthy way to approach the school year.
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Thankyou for this article. I am taking a year of personal leave in 2019 because ultimately after 32 years of educatiin I wish someone some mentor or leader would have said self care is important. There is so much beyond the job of teaching. I consider my current principsl a leader in valuing self care and supporter of my year off. I will be sharing this article with my colleagues. Thankyou