Chalkface Check-Up is, first and foremost, an essential exercise in self-care.
At my invitation, a senior teacher leader, renowned for her calm professionalism and unwavering commitment to support the wellbeing of her pupils and colleagues, took time out at the end of her day to reflect on her reality. Led by the Chalkface Check-Up reflective prompts, she painted a vivid picture of her state of being during a lesson she had recently taught.
'On a scale of 0 to 10…'
Her scores represented a small segment of her day, yet they provided this dedicated educator with a moment of realisation: beneath her composed exterior, all was not as it seemed. Behind the duty of 'just getting on with it' and the motivation to be all things to all people, her responses to the Chalkface Check-Up reflective prompts were striking.
High scores demonstrated the reality of time pressure, issues out of her control which affected her readiness to teach, and pressing demands which preoccupied her mind. Equally concerning were signs of self-neglect, with hunger and thirst levels registering as 8 on the scale. The situation brought to mind a description that had deeply resonated with me during my time in a similar role:
‘A state of burnout becomes a sign of commitment to your vocation. Anything less than total exhaustion indicates falling short of the mark of complete professionalism… [we] squeeze the work of two or three jobs into the space where one can fit comfortably’
(Professor Stephen Brookfield, 2008, pp. 102-3).
Naturally, this state applies to all who become consumed by their roles and who are dedicated to the wellbeing of their students. It extends to anyone who struggles to switch off. Chalkface Check-Up is a genuine exercise in self-care. As one teacher testified,
“Chalkface Check-Up gets back to the heart of genuine coaching. It allows an individual to coach themselves...”
As you watch this short video we warmly invite you to consider the potential benefits of this Edusense Reflective Tool for your staff and your school community.