The Superpower of Supportive Supervision in Education: Bolstering Teacher Wellbeing Through Empathetic Oversight
The Importance of Supportive Supervision for Teacher Wellbeing
Teachers are responsible for one of the most important and demanding jobs in society - educating and shaping young minds. However, heavy workloads, classroom challenges, and lack of support can negatively impact teachers' mental health and wellbeing. Providing positive and Supportive Supervision is key to keeping teachers psychologically healthy, satisfied, and engaged.
Defining Supportive Supervision in Education
Supportive Supervision in Education is a non-judgemental, collaborative process where education practitioners are regularly supported to reflect on their practice, relationships, the emotional demands of their work and the impact of these and the wider education system on their psychological wellbeing. Through dialogue, expressive therapies and the use of an integrated model of supervision, new meaning emerges and learning is co-created, forming new pathways for action which can contribute to best practice, effective relationships, enhanced wellbeing and professional and personal development.
Adapted from Supervision in Education – Healthier Schools For All, Nicki Lawrence 2020.
Who facilitates Supportive Supervision in Education?
Supportive Supervision for educators requires expertise in both teaching and clinical counselling supervision. Specialised skills from extensive experience in these interrelated fields are vital. Without proper qualifications, supervision intended to aid teacher wellbeing may inadvertently cause harm. The competencies needed to guide schools in preserving staff care while meeting student needs demand uniquely qualified Supportive Supervisors.
Building Resilience Through Validation
Teaching can be an emotionally taxing job. Teachers often feel intense pressure to meet ever-increasing demands with limited time and resources. Supportive supervisors help validate teachers' frustrations regarding the difficulties of the work. Providing a safe and confidential space with an external Supportive Supervisor to share concerns, irritations, and anxieties helps teachers release pent-up stress. Feeling truly heard and understood bolsters resilience to cope with issues in the long-term.
Restoring Morale Through Encouragement
It is easy for teachers to feel burnt out and discouraged when facing what seems like endless challenges. From behavioural challenges to parent cocners , teachers are often mired in draining issues that sap morale. Supportive Supervision provides positive reinforcement that restores optimism and self-efficacy. By commending effort, highlighting strengths, and celebrating wins - no matter how small – Supportive Supervisors help motivate and reenergize teachers.
Reducing Isolation Through Collaboration
Teaching can be an isolating profession, with most hours spent alone interacting with students. Many teachers lack opportunities to collaborate with colleagues to get feedback, test ideas, and gain different perspectives. Supportive Supervision facilitates productive teamwork by brainstorming solutions together and building the collective skillset.
Supportive Oversight: A Critical Component of Teacher Wellbeing
Providing meaningful, compassionate Supportive Supervision is key to keeping teachers psychologically healthy, engaged, and fulfilled by their challenging but critical work. Implementing a supportive and self-reflective approach leads to reduced teacher stress, greater resilience, improved morale, less isolation, and increased professional competency.
Honour the invaluable work teachers perform by ensuring Supportive Supervision by a qualified and attuned Supervisor keeps them functioning at their best.