Project title: Preventing teachers burnout in primary schools
The project is implemented by the Personal Development Foundation "Przystań" in cooperation with Eastern Macedonia - Thrace Regional Directorate for Primary and Secondary Education as part of the Erasmus+ Program, Action 2. Cooperation of Organizations and Institutions, Small-scale Partnerships.
The partnership was formed because of the need to join the experience of the Regional Directorate in implementing educational policy, professional development of teachers and Erasmus plus project implementation with the know-how of a non-governmental organisation (Personal Development Foundation "Przystań") in the area of preventive programs and training courses aimed at the primary school community.
Genesis of the project
The WHO European Forum of Medical Associations defines burnout as a syndrome of exhaustion of emotional, physical and cognitive energy, manifested by emotional and physical exhaustion, lack of efficiency and competence. The main cause of burnout is prolonged stress. Too many duties, social pressure and a permanent lack of time to rest, makes the employee nervous and stressed.
Primary school teachers have to face not only relatively low salaries, but also a number of other difficulties, such as the demanding approach of parents, limited employment opportunities in small towns and villages, often problematic management, and a lot of time spent on extra work (checking tests, homeworks).
Teachers who cannot cope with problems connected with their job face the system, which does not offer them support.
Headmasters who do not have the necessary tools, have to deal with many problems of today's school, among which burnout plays an important role.
This situation makes both teachers and headmasters leave the primary schools.
There are many techniques and methods that focus on the symptoms connected with burnout, but creating a friendly working environment and strengthening teachers' resilience seem to be the crucial factors preventing burnout.
A good school that cares about its employees should provide them with a series of activities and meetings with specialists that will reduce the exposure to burnout syndrome.
The ambition of the project partners is to develop solutions that will contribute to the creation of an environment supporting the well-being and resilience of teachers and maintaining their motivation to work in schools.
Main goal of the project is preventing professional burnout of teachers in primary schools, including those located in small towns and villages, by developing an innovative toolkit for primary schools to create a system supporting the well-being and resilience of teachers, and maintaining their motivation to work in the teaching profession, in particular those teachers, who are at risk of burnout.
Specific objectives:
- developing standards of action to create a working environment supporting primary school teacher’s well-being and motivation
- developing standards for the functioning of the position of a burnout experts in schools
- developing tools that will enable teachers most exposed to burnout, and hence more at risk of social exclusion, to acquire skills that strengthen their resilience and maintain motivation to work in the teaching profession
- strengthening the professional development of teachers, in particular those employed in small towns and villages, where access to the training offer and participation in EU-funded projects is limited
- improving the quality of work and practices of the organizations involved in the project in an international context
Project activities
- Developing an innovative toolkit aimed at school headmasters to create a system that fosters teachers' well-being and resilience, and motivation, in particular teachers at risk of burnout and pilot implementation of developed tools in 4 Greek and 4 Polish primary schools
- Developing an innovative toolkit aimed at burnout experts to support teachers' well-being, resilience and motivation, in particular teachers at risk of burnout and pilot implementation of developed tools in 4 Greek and 4 Polish primary schools
- Transnational Project Meeting in Poland
- Transnational Project Meeting in Greece
- Conference in Poland (Multiplier Event)
- Conference in Greece (Multiplier Event)
The manual for Headmasters
The manual is a tool that provides knowledge on the issue of burnout among teachers, as well as specific tips for preventing burnout in primary schools.
The knowledge and tips contained in the manual are intended to help headmasters create a school environment that promotes teacher well-being.
The name of the file: Manual for Headmaster
The Manual for Burnout Experts
The Manual is a tool that provides knowledge about burnout among teachers, as well as specific tips for preventing burnout in primary schools.
The knowledge and tips contained in the manual are intended to help the Burnout Expert effectively support teachers in acquiring skills that will build their well-being.
The name of the file: Manual for Burnout Expert
An anonymous questionnaire examining the level of burnout, personal and social competences and organisational factors.
The questionnaire is aiming at determining:
- the risk of burnout of teachers,
- the level of teachers’ personal and social competences protecting them from burnout,
- factors connected with the school environment which have negative and positive impact on the teachers’ wellbeing.
The anonymous survey is a tool used by the school management and the Burnout Expert to tailor support and the school environment to the needs of teachers.
The name of the file: Anonymous questionnaire
Questionnaire aiming the self-reflection of teachers
The questionnaire is a tool that helps teachers self-reflect on their well-being. By completing the questionnaire, they can reflect on the areas that have a positive or negative impact on their well-being. Open questions encourage them to reflect on what they can do to eliminate the negative factors and strengthen the positive ones. This reflection may also strengthen their motivation to participate more consciously in the individual sessions and/or group trainings, and get more benefits from them.
The name of the file: Self-reflection questionnaire
Training programmes and materials
The subjects of trainings are designed to focus on developing teachers' skills of self-analysis, self-recognition their predispositions and abilities, possibilities in relation to their objectives, setting realistic requirements as well as didactic and educational goals for primary school students and keeping distance from the sources of stress, but also to be able to handle it.
Personal Skills Development Trainings/Workshops:
Training 1: What is stress and how to cope with it?
This presentation is intended to be used by a Burnout Expert to conduct training aimed at teachers struggling with the effects of excessive stress and who wish to increase their awareness of stress management techniques and take steps to prevent stress-related overload.
The presentation is divided into two parts. The first part is addressed to the trainer and describes the training objectives, while the second contains ready-made material to be presented to the participants.
The name of the file: Training 1
Training 2: Determining own resources and deficits in terms of teaching competences as well as setting appropriate professional and personal goals
This presentation is intended to be used by the Burnout Expert to conduct training aimed at teachers who wish to assess and improve their teaching competencies and are interested in setting and achieving goals for both their career and personal development. The training is also intended for teachers open to self-reflection and seeking to improve their skills to better adapt to the needs of today's schools.
The presentation is divided into two parts. The first part is addressed to the trainer and describes the training objectives, while the second contains ready-made material to be presented to the participants.
The name of the file: Training 2
Training 3: How to recognize and manage emotions?
This presentation is intended to be used by the Burnout Expert to conduct training aimed at teachers who want to effectively identify their own and other people's emotions and learn practical ways to manage their own emotions to minimize the risk of burnout.
The presentation is divided into two parts. The first part is addressed to the trainer and describes the training objectives, while the second contains ready-made material to be presented to the participants.
The name of the file: Training 3
Training 4: What is agency and how to use it in teaching job?
This presentation is intended to be used by the Burnout Expert to conduct training aimed at teachers who want to learn what teacher agency is, why it is important and how it can be strengthened and used in professional practice.
The presentation is divided into two parts. The first part is addressed to the trainer and describes the training objectives, while the second contains ready-made material to be presented to the participants.
The name of the file: Training 4
Training 5: How to take care of self-esteem?
This presentation is intended to be used by a Burnout Expert to conduct training aimed at teachers, which is intended to help participants understand what self-esteem is and how it develops, as well as to indicate effective tools to strengthen it.
The presentation is divided into two parts. The first part is addressed to the trainer and describes the training objectives, while the second contains ready-made material to be presented to the participants.
The name of the file: Training 5
Training 6: How primary school teachers can effectively manage their work time in a teaching job?
This presentation is intended to be used by a Burnout Expert to conduct training aimed at teachers, who want to balance teaching and administrative tasks and maintain well-being with practical time management strategies, specifically tailored to the demands of the teaching role.
The presentation is divided into two parts. The first part is addressed to the trainer and describes the training objectives, while the second contains ready-made material to be presented to the participants.
The name of the file: Training 6
Social Skills Development Trainings/Workshops:
Training 7: Communication and assertive attitude as protection against burnout
This presentation is intended to be used by a Burnout Expert to conduct training aimed at teachers, who want to improve their skills in proper communication with students and colleagues and express their opinions assertively.
The presentation is divided into two parts. The first part is addressed to the trainer and describes the training objectives, while the second contains ready-made material to be presented to the participants.
The name of the file: Training 7
Training 8: How to talk to parents effectively about their children's educational needs and outcomes? - Cooperation training
This presentation is intended to be used by a Burnout Expert to conduct training aimed at teachers, during which participants will learn how to prepare for a meeting with a parent and what to remember when conducting the meeting. Teachers will also look at their emotions and attitudes they may present during meetings.
The presentation is divided into two parts. The first part is addressed to the trainer and describes the training objectives
The name of the file: Training 8
Training 9: Conflict resolution
This presentation is intended to be used by a Burnout Expert to conduct training aimed at teachers, who want to improve their skills in resolving conflicts in their professional and private lives.
The presentation is divided into two parts. The first part is addressed to the trainer and describes the training objectives, while the second contains ready-made material to be presented to the participants.
The name of the file: Training 9
