TL;DR:
- Sometimes there will be a cheering squad behind you and other times there isn’t. When things get tough, resilience is key to getting through.
- Intentional discomfort is at the top of the hierarchy of resilience.
- Mindful moments can help us get through situations of intentional discomfort that create resilience.
My 2021 WORD continues to be resilience!
Why teach resilience?
- It is an important skill to attain at any given point in our lives.
- It’s a life skill that can be taught and developed.
- Studies on multiple intelligence would say it is a skill to acquire.
I use this graphic to share that we need to take care of ourselves. As complex humans, we need to be resilient to find balance. To work through intentional discomfort, it is important to know yourself really well. Know that you will be fine no matter what people say. No matter what happens as a consequence or backlash on topics that really matter to you.
Sometimes there will be a cheering squad behind you and other times there isn’t. However, as tough as the road ahead may be, resilience is a skill set that I have learned and that has been an asset. Click To TweetBuild Resilience Into the Timetable
Student-centered collaborative tasks to build a positive climate in the classroom have been built into my classroom timetable. I believe it is so imperative to ensure all students are successful. To create resilient-minded learners, we should support each student to ensure they help one another. We should create a classroom environment that is inclusive, respectful, and encourages students to take risks and speak up. When reaching resilience, the following should be considered:
- Teach students how to maintain mental wellness.
- Consider goal-oriented differentiation to challenging situations.
- Celebrate small successes in the classroom.
Sometimes everyone cheers you on and life as an educator is smooth sailing. Sometimes things are challenging as an educator.
When we hit that moment in time where we have to overcome some obstacles in the way to achieve educational aspirations, teach an inspirational lesson or dive a little deeper into curriculum. We have to learn to be honest and speak up when needed. And we need to work on being resilient to be the kind of person who can accomplish everything.
Mindful moments can help us get through situations of intentional discomfort that create resilience. I credit my knowledge of the hierarchy of resilience to my Twitter PLN.
It is invaluable to take the time to reflect on how to overcome tough situations. Life has taught me about being able to stand alone for the right cause. Sometimes there will be a cheering squad behind you and other times there isn’t. However, as tough as the road ahead may be, resilience is a skill set that I have learned and that has been an asset.
If you have a lesson that you have taught about resilience, please share so it will be accessible for other educators to teach. I believe teamwork is so very important in building lesson plans and sharing our insights with each other as educators.
Yours in Education,
Nilmini
About Nilmini Ratwatte-Henstridge
Nilmini Ratwatte-Henstridge teaches in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. She was born in Sri Lanka and immigrated to Canada with her family. As an Elementary School Teacher who is passionate about Equity, Social Justice, and Human Rights in education she enjoys teaching the younger generation to be global-minded citizens.
Discovering the world by connecting with others is an opportunity that we have today in our society today and she loves meeting new people! She is always learning while traveling to understand the inter-connectedness of this beautiful earth we live in! Nilmini LOVES Cooking great meals, Watching movies, and the latest fashion trends! Family and friends are close to her heart as she looks forward to balancing social media and navigating professional learning communities in education to network globally this year!
