There’s no shame in making a mistake; we all do it. Just make sure you take ownership, let go, and commit to doing the right thing next time around. — I had to raise my voice for the first time this year. It was my year 7 class. A spirited group fresh up from primary school, their ages hovering around 11, with a few having embraced the grandeur of 12. Stepping into a larger-than-life secondary school is a monumental transition…

How do you deal with feeling like a record stuck on repeat? — ‘In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s, there are few.’ — Shunryu Suzuki In teaching, you spend a lot of time repeating yourself. You feel like a record stuck on repeat. Every. Day. The kids don’t always listen to you. Even when they look like…

What came first, the attachment or the suffering? — There are no things as such in this world, only processes. The week before last, I had some time off for half term. I didn’t do anything exciting, just things I’d typically do on a weekend. Reading, writing, meditation. Oh, and a little bit more exercise. It’s a good job…

Everything I learned was simply by observing how he went about his job with unwavering assertiveness and passion. — Here’s what happened to me when I sat in my classroom during my free period, planning my lessons as usual and getting ready for the rest of the school day. The headteacher walked past my door with a man she was showing around the school. This didn’t come as much…

How to navigate the ensuing moments after an uncomfortable situation. — Any uncomfortable situation is bad enough in the first instance; don’t put yourself through more pain by thinking about it. As a teacher, you can live far away from your school, and then you don’t have to bump into the kids. You’ll have to commute long distances every day, though…

Another lesson in letting go whilst navigating life’s speedbumps and potholes. — Friday morning’s drive to work was far from smooth, a reminder that life’s little inconveniences can sometimes cause us more stress than they need to. As I settled into my driver’s seat and fastened my seatbelt, I noticed the heater on my wing mirrors had decided to take the day…

Observing others in their moments of closure can be a powerful stepping stone in understanding our own journey towards greater openness and self-awareness. — The class is small, with around 14 kids in it. They’re year 9, which in the UK means that they’re aged 13–14. I taught a handful last year, which has lightened the load a little this time. Knowing them from previous can go one of two ways; it really depends…

Try this if you struggle to talk to people; it’s not as crazy as it first sounds. — Let’s be honest; talking to strangers isn’t always easy, no matter how old you are. I stand talking in front of 30 people for five hours every day, and sometimes, I still struggle to talk to people. We have to do it, though. Sometimes because we don't have a choice…

How alcohol can dull your senses and deplete your awareness. — Picture this: a gathering with friends, a toast to celebrate, a glass of wine to unwind. We’re all familiar with the soothing embrace of alcohol, the way it momentarily lifts our spirits and numbs the edges of reality. But have you ever paused to consider the deeper toll it takes…