Anyone who’s flown, has heard the safety briefing on a plane. Apart from locating the emergency exits, providing instructions on how to buckle a seat belt and locate your life vest, it asks that you attend to your own oxygen mask before your child’s, should you be travelling with a minor. You may have thought it to be an empty recommendation – any good parent would attend to their children’s safety before their own!
However, the recommendation has nothing to do with good parenting, but rather safeguarding the adult from the effects of hypoxia - a deficiency of oxygen reaching the brain. The longer passengers go without oxygen, the more extreme the side effects.
Ranging from blurred vision, apprehension, headaches, through to fatigue and aggression, the longer the brain is starved of oxygen, the more erratic it becomes and the less likely it is to be able to perform simple tasks. Therefore, it is reasonable to ensure that the adult cares for himself/herself first, against the onset of hypoxia, so that he or she is able to continue to be responsible for the child in their care.
This is one of many situations where care of the adult, supports the care of the child. A position that is a counterintuitive response to cultural expectations, but essential for an effective long game. I argue that maintaining the wellbeing of the teacher, or teacher self-care, is another such example.
In education, the loss of oxygen is akin to the heavy workloads, classroom management issues and lack of collaboration and support in the educational setting. The gas mask, is the tool box with which we attend to correcting the draining of personal resources. Without the toolbox, we become less effective at performing routine tasks. Given the perfectionist and self-critical nature of teachers, the stresses and demands are then coupled with poor self-efficacy and shame. The resulting overwhelm has teachers leaving the profession in droves. 30-50% of new graduates within the first five years...with numbers of experienced teachers strategically mapping out their exit plans.
...but are we all putting on our oxygen masks, before we attend to the children in our care?
As a collective, we prioritise the care of our students, over our own needs. We come to work when we should be in bed, so that ‘our kids’ don’t have any further interruptions. We magically create lunches for those without food, negotiate conflict...and we educate. We feel guilty about investing time in the things we find life-giving because they feel indulgent.
I’m here to tell you, spending time with your loved ones, maintaining mental and physical health, chasing your personal dreams and feeling a sense of control over your life beyond school, is not indulgent, nor negligent. It is as imperative as putting that oxygen mask on first. It is the means of you being able to perform at high levels, feel productive and maintain your wellbeing. It is not only as reasonable as putting on that oxygen mask first, it is your responsibility.
If it is permission you require, I am giving you that permission today. Learn how to invest time in yourself wisely, so that you can once again fall in love with your mission. We need you. The next generation needs you. Decide to invest the time and effort in increasing your wellbeing...
... If Not You, Who?
Well said Rebecca. We are responsible for our own wellbeing. Our choices are critical. We need to model self respect through our lifestyle. Love begins at home.