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Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators
A practical framework to avoid burnout and keep great teachers teaching
Onward tackles the problem of educator stress, and provides a practical framework for taking the burnout out of teaching. Stress is part of the job, but when 70 percent of teachers quit within their first five years because the stress is making them physically and mentally ill, things have gone too far. Unsurprisingly, these effects are highest in difficult-to-fill positions such as math, science, and foreign languages, and in urban areas and secondary classrooms—places where we need our teachers to be especially motivated and engaged. This book offers a path to resiliency to help teachers weather the storms and bounce back—and work toward banishing the rain for good.
This actionable framework gives you concrete steps toward rediscovering yourself, your energy, and your passion for teaching. You’ll learn how a simple shift in mindset can affect your outlook, and how taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally is one of the most important things you can do. The companion workbook helps you put the framework into action, streamlining your way toward renewal and strength.
Cultivate resilience with a four-part framework based on 12 key habits Uncover your true self, understand emotions, and use your energy where it counts Adopt a mindful, story-telling approach to communication and community building Keep learning, playing, and creating to create an environment of collective celebration By cultivating resilience in schools, we help ensure that we are working in, teaching in, and leading organizations where every child thrives, and where the potential of every child is recognized and nurtured. Onward provides a step-by-step plan for reigniting that spark.
Onward tackles the problem of educator stress, and provides a practical framework for taking the burnout out of teaching. Stress is part of the job, but when 70 percent of teachers quit within their first five years because the stress is making them physically and mentally ill, things have gone too far. Unsurprisingly, these effects are highest in difficult-to-fill positions such as math, science, and foreign languages, and in urban areas and secondary classrooms—places where we need our teachers to be especially motivated and engaged. This book offers a path to resiliency to help teachers weather the storms and bounce back—and work toward banishing the rain for good.
This actionable framework gives you concrete steps toward rediscovering yourself, your energy, and your passion for teaching. You’ll learn how a simple shift in mindset can affect your outlook, and how taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally is one of the most important things you can do. The companion workbook helps you put the framework into action, streamlining your way toward renewal and strength.
Cultivate resilience with a four-part framework based on 12 key habits Uncover your true self, understand emotions, and use your energy where it counts Adopt a mindful, story-telling approach to communication and community building Keep learning, playing, and creating to create an environment of collective celebration By cultivating resilience in schools, we help ensure that we are working in, teaching in, and leading organizations where every child thrives, and where the potential of every child is recognized and nurtured. Onward provides a step-by-step plan for reigniting that spark.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2018
638 people are currently reading
2757 people want to read
About the author
Elena Aguilar
18 books136 followersElena has trained thousands of educators across the United States and abroad in transformational coaching. She is the author of four highly acclaimed books: The Art of Coaching, (2013) and The Art of Coaching Teams, (2016) Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators (2018) and the Onward Workbook (2018), and the forthcoming Coaching for Equity (August 2020). She is a regular contributor to Edutopia and ASCD’s Educational Leadership, and she was a blogger for EdWeek Teacher for many years.
Elena Aguilar is an author and the President of Bright Morning Consulting. Her expertise derives from twenty five years as a classroom teacher, instructional coach and leadership coach working in diverse school environments. In her role as a consultant, she has partnered with leaders in public and private organizations across the United States and abroad. Elena is also the co-founder of Kenya Big Picture Learning, and she’s on the advisory board of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. Elena holds a BA in history and Latin American Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an MA in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley. She received her teaching credential from California State University, Hayward, and she also holds an administrative services credential.
Elena lives in Oakland, California, with her husband, son, and two cats. When she’s not coaching or writing she enjoys traveling abroad, photographing birds, hiking, drinking coffee and reading fiction.
Elena Aguilar is an author and the President of Bright Morning Consulting. Her expertise derives from twenty five years as a classroom teacher, instructional coach and leadership coach working in diverse school environments. In her role as a consultant, she has partnered with leaders in public and private organizations across the United States and abroad. Elena is also the co-founder of Kenya Big Picture Learning, and she’s on the advisory board of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. Elena holds a BA in history and Latin American Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an MA in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley. She received her teaching credential from California State University, Hayward, and she also holds an administrative services credential.
Elena lives in Oakland, California, with her husband, son, and two cats. When she’s not coaching or writing she enjoys traveling abroad, photographing birds, hiking, drinking coffee and reading fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
March 18, 2021
I did not have to read this. I found this book through an interview Aguilar did on the Cult of Pedagogy podcast, which piqued my interest. Prior to reading Onward, the word "resilience" had registered as only a minor blip in the matrix of education buzzwords peddled via lackluster professional development and staff meetings. It was often used by administration as a comeback when teachers complained about drowning in new initiatives. "Be more resilient," they'd tell us.
Ok.
So I was hesitant about getting into Aguilar's book. But she addressed my concerns rather quickly.
If the conditions and context in which teachers work are suboptimal, it is not enough to tell teachers to sleep more, check their attitude, and be grateful. Conditions in many organizations don't foster well-being. p. 5
She goes on to say how we need to adopt resilience practices in order to maintain the energy that will be required to foster the changes that will hopefully one day make resilience practices less essential. All of this helped me to get my principal's voice out of my head and open myself up to what Aguilar had to say. I waded into the book with enthusiasm, but my enthusiasm waned the further in I waded. Apparently there is a political project here, but I can't tell whether it's something Aguilar actually believes and hasn't thought through, or it's simply lip service meant to provide additional justification for the work (in case not feeling like shit all the time isn't justification enough).
Here's my theory of action: If we boost our individual resilience, then we will have more energy to address organizational and systemic conditions - to elect officials who will fund public education, organize against policies that dehumanize educators, and push back on punitive assessment policies and scripted curriculum that turn teachers into robots and students into depositories to be filled. p. 6
Sounds good, but... How much energy do you need to cast a ballot? Who amongst your readers is going to use their newfound energy to organize? What precisely are the steps to take once we've mastered this magical resilience? This call for political action never really comes up again, at least not in any significant detail.
And this theory of Aguilar's brought to mind another self-help writer, one who's perhaps a bit more prominent: Jordan Peterson. Though Aguilar appears to be coming from the opposite end of the political spectrum, what she's saying here sounds to me suspiciously similar to "Put your house in perfect order before you criticize the world."
Maybe I don't have time to get my shit together. Maybe we change the system first, and then see if your program is still necessary.
But ok, ok. Nothing here is really bad advice. Just the opposite (although Aguilar's bandwagony harping on McMindfulness acidifies my digestive juices). So well then here's the thing about this self-help stuff, if you're out there looking for it, you've already done half the work. You've already made the decision to improve your life. Do you really need this book?
For me, this is the core problem. The people who do need Onward are the people who will have to have it foisted upon them by their administrators, who, however right they may be, will continue to use the word "resilience" as a way to shut up their subordinates. And their subordinates will see this. And so they won't read the book, at least not with any seriousness.
Had Aguilar added a chapter, she might have saved Onward from being yet another self-help book full of tautologies. You know what really strengthens resilience? Fighting for systemic change and watching your work take effect. I have never felt more validated and energized than when I make my voice heard. Resilience should not be considered a prerequisite for political action. Political action can itself be the work of resilience. For an idea of what this might look like, I recommend Barry Oshry's Seeing Systems.
If you want to read Onward, whatever. Go for it. It probably can't hurt you. Just bear in mind that the need for resilience is a symptom of a sick system. This book will help to treat the symptom, but it won't cure the disease. Ugh, yes I did just use that cliché. It's like I've been reading self-help or something...
Update: I just noticed this shares its title with Howard Schultz’s memoir. Somehow strangely fitting.
Ok.
So I was hesitant about getting into Aguilar's book. But she addressed my concerns rather quickly.
If the conditions and context in which teachers work are suboptimal, it is not enough to tell teachers to sleep more, check their attitude, and be grateful. Conditions in many organizations don't foster well-being. p. 5
She goes on to say how we need to adopt resilience practices in order to maintain the energy that will be required to foster the changes that will hopefully one day make resilience practices less essential. All of this helped me to get my principal's voice out of my head and open myself up to what Aguilar had to say. I waded into the book with enthusiasm, but my enthusiasm waned the further in I waded. Apparently there is a political project here, but I can't tell whether it's something Aguilar actually believes and hasn't thought through, or it's simply lip service meant to provide additional justification for the work (in case not feeling like shit all the time isn't justification enough).
Here's my theory of action: If we boost our individual resilience, then we will have more energy to address organizational and systemic conditions - to elect officials who will fund public education, organize against policies that dehumanize educators, and push back on punitive assessment policies and scripted curriculum that turn teachers into robots and students into depositories to be filled. p. 6
Sounds good, but... How much energy do you need to cast a ballot? Who amongst your readers is going to use their newfound energy to organize? What precisely are the steps to take once we've mastered this magical resilience? This call for political action never really comes up again, at least not in any significant detail.
And this theory of Aguilar's brought to mind another self-help writer, one who's perhaps a bit more prominent: Jordan Peterson. Though Aguilar appears to be coming from the opposite end of the political spectrum, what she's saying here sounds to me suspiciously similar to "Put your house in perfect order before you criticize the world."
Maybe I don't have time to get my shit together. Maybe we change the system first, and then see if your program is still necessary.
But ok, ok. Nothing here is really bad advice. Just the opposite (although Aguilar's bandwagony harping on McMindfulness acidifies my digestive juices). So well then here's the thing about this self-help stuff, if you're out there looking for it, you've already done half the work. You've already made the decision to improve your life. Do you really need this book?
For me, this is the core problem. The people who do need Onward are the people who will have to have it foisted upon them by their administrators, who, however right they may be, will continue to use the word "resilience" as a way to shut up their subordinates. And their subordinates will see this. And so they won't read the book, at least not with any seriousness.
Had Aguilar added a chapter, she might have saved Onward from being yet another self-help book full of tautologies. You know what really strengthens resilience? Fighting for systemic change and watching your work take effect. I have never felt more validated and energized than when I make my voice heard. Resilience should not be considered a prerequisite for political action. Political action can itself be the work of resilience. For an idea of what this might look like, I recommend Barry Oshry's Seeing Systems.
If you want to read Onward, whatever. Go for it. It probably can't hurt you. Just bear in mind that the need for resilience is a symptom of a sick system. This book will help to treat the symptom, but it won't cure the disease. Ugh, yes I did just use that cliché. It's like I've been reading self-help or something...
Update: I just noticed this shares its title with Howard Schultz’s memoir. Somehow strangely fitting.
March 25, 2020
We chose this book for our professional learning group this year and I couldn't have asked for a better book to get me thru the school year with my colleagues. This book puts you back in touch your purpose as a teacher and why you chose this profession. At the same time it also provides practical suggestions for re-thinking your daily approach with both students and colleagues.
June 30, 2019
Great teacher book club resource. Made me reflect upon my approach to my profession, and how to stay focused, positive and mentally healthy in regards to work, relationships and life. I enjoyed discussing a chapter a month with a small group of valued colleagues. I'm sad it's over!
May 24, 2022
This book was exactly what we need to start discussion - excited for read and learn with a larger group next year.
May 16, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this with my colleagues at Coffman. Love the monthly setup and structure of the book for teachers. Some chapters definitely resonated with me more than others. Next, I plan to actually implement some strategies and spend time within the companion workbook. :)
April 28, 2024
Loved this book. A must for educators, especially for leaders in education. This book will be offered through a book study next year, and we will be using the handbook that accompanies each chapter. I am already so excited to see how the information and strategies will help cultivate resilience in our staff. I am certain it will also make a positive impact on our culture and climate as well. A huge win for everyone.
May 4, 2021
Wow. This book is a must-read for anyone involved in education. It's helped guide my thinking each month of this insane school year. I'm grateful for the group of educators with whom I got to discuss the book each month. There were so many great discussions and moments of camaraderie this school year because of the book. LOVED IT!!!
March 30, 2019
Loved this book! Probably the best education book I’ve ever read - lots of inspiration and actionable ideas. I highly recommend it.
May 31, 2020
Ehhh. Not a ton of ‘advice’ per se. She mostly just advises to stay positive, change your way of thinking (to be more positive), and practice mindfulness to be a more positive person. Did I mention this lady thinks you should be positive?
I think it overlooks a lot of benefits you get from indulging in venting and that teaching is still a job. We are not super humans and I am not Michelle Pfifer in Dangerous Minds or Edward Jame Olmos I’m Stand and Deliver. It’s ok to be angry and frustrated yet still love your job and do it well.
I also feel this book lacked tangible advice on how to maintain a positive mindset. I have children so finding 15 minutes to myself is incredibly difficult and I try my best. It’s easy to say, “oh meditate for 20 minutes and you’ll be more positive.” I don’t know...I don’t know what to do with that.
I also don’t think I was a target audience for this book (we read this for PD) because I’m not a burnt out teacher and I personally don’t want to quit and do anything else. So, I don’t know. Wasn’t the most eye opening thing I ever read.
Pop Sugar 2020 Challenge: A book with more than 20 letters in its title
I think it overlooks a lot of benefits you get from indulging in venting and that teaching is still a job. We are not super humans and I am not Michelle Pfifer in Dangerous Minds or Edward Jame Olmos I’m Stand and Deliver. It’s ok to be angry and frustrated yet still love your job and do it well.
I also feel this book lacked tangible advice on how to maintain a positive mindset. I have children so finding 15 minutes to myself is incredibly difficult and I try my best. It’s easy to say, “oh meditate for 20 minutes and you’ll be more positive.” I don’t know...I don’t know what to do with that.
I also don’t think I was a target audience for this book (we read this for PD) because I’m not a burnt out teacher and I personally don’t want to quit and do anything else. So, I don’t know. Wasn’t the most eye opening thing I ever read.
Pop Sugar 2020 Challenge: A book with more than 20 letters in its title
December 9, 2021
Definitely NOT finished, nor will I ever be, because this is just more of the same dreck they've been feeding educations for years in lieu of actually improving conditions for educators. "Practice self care and it doesn't matter how abusive your supervisors are!"
Administrators force their staff to read this crap on our own time, while simultaneously overloading us with other pointless tasks that can't be completed in a work day. No. No more of this.
Administrators force their staff to read this crap on our own time, while simultaneously overloading us with other pointless tasks that can't be completed in a work day. No. No more of this.
December 27, 2018
For any educator who feels overwhelmed by the profession of teaching. I had good intentions of doing all of the exercises in the book, however it got to be too much of a chore. Instead, I found more enjoyment in reading the thoughts and underpinnings of how to embrace life and all that comes with it instead of hyper-focusing on your career. You can create balance as I am finding out.
May 28, 2018
I read this quickly to verify that it would be good for a summer-read for my staff, and now I look forward to going through it month by month. Get this for educators you know. The author shares real experiences, and these issues are so important for surviving and thriving in education.
June 5, 2019
Read for work. It is what it says it is. If you are an educator, intentionally engaging with this work may help you avoid burnout. A practical guide for habituation.
October 27, 2019
This book is for all professionals who coach others.
January 24, 2022
A bit of a mixed bag for me, but when it’s good, it’s very good. Much of this book contains generic self-help advice with slight targeting to an educator audience. Also, the very strong secular-with-a-dash-of-pagan framework Aguilar presents her wisdom with, though unsurprising, doesn’t sit will with me and prevents my full hearted recommendation. I don’t think hippies nor Ram Dass were pinnacles of enlightenment, for example. That said, her chapter 9 on “Be a Learner” was excellent, and presented frameworks I will definitely be employing for resilience and professional development for the rest of my life. Her commitment to teacher longevity and happiness is also very commendable. I appreciate her embrace of spirituality as a key factor to resilience, but I tire of monistic, pluralistic approaches to divinity. 384 pages or 13 hours of teachers, stress, advice, and resilience.
May 22, 2025
I liked how the habit and disposition in each chapter was tailored to the month and how educators tend to feel during that time. I think I could benefit from rereading many chapters during my first year of teaching. The main idea that sticks with me is remembering to celebrate and appreciate small wins each day instead of focusing on all that went wrong. At the same time, the more I read and learn about all the ways you need to fortify yourself to exist sustainably in this profession, the less encouraged I feel. Oh well!
February 20, 2025
I read this for work. From a secular perspective, it is excellent. From a Biblical perspective, all of these things are already mentioned in the Bible and lived out through the church (when done right of course). It’s full of good practical advice, but it keeps you at the center instead of Christ. It was a good exercise in identifying threads of fallacy and then reminding myself what the truth is.
January 15, 2019
One of the most interesting, useful, and meaningful books I’ve read in some time - I laughed, cried, took notes, learned, reflected, and grew. I’m now itching to implement this learning with the many new teachers in my orbit. Already obsessed with everything Elena Aguilar does and would say this is her best work yet.
March 25, 2023
Some great tips and activities to do staffs, and some good personal reminders as well. I appreciate how the author has divided the readings into ‘months of the year,’ so this could easily move in to a personal growth plan.
I appreciate how she is summarized a bunch of different current research into a light and, at times, humorous read.
I plan to work through the workbook as well.
I think my favourite chapters were on empowering stories, focus on the bright spot, and on play.
I appreciate how she is summarized a bunch of different current research into a light and, at times, humorous read.
I plan to work through the workbook as well.
I think my favourite chapters were on empowering stories, focus on the bright spot, and on play.
July 16, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I’ve finished my 26th year teaching and I thought the remaining years were just too hard to think about some days. But, this author had such an interesting take on being resilient in an often challenging field. Every month there was a new trait and disposition to focus on with easy to apply strategies for success!
April 28, 2025
A self-help book for educators that's not just platitudes and "remember your why," but actually insightful and thought-provoking. I really love how it's paced out at a chapter a month, with each chapter's focus being specific to that month of the school year. A necessary read for every educator.
April 9, 2020
While I feel guilty that this sat on my work bookshelf for so long, I’m not sure the timing could have been better.
June 5, 2025
It felt like gaslighting tbh
June 9, 2020
Incredible book with strategies to implement with teachers. Used as a book study. Would HIGHLY recommend!!
January 13, 2024
I appreciate the goals of this text, but teacher burnout is very real and not something that can be whisked away with a hopeful text. Not intending to sound negative! There are some excellent tactics in this book! It’s just a rough profession to be in right now!
November 3, 2021
There's some good stuff in this book for teachers to remember and practice, though a lot of it is standard therapy stuff like "emotions are temporary" or "acknowledge the positives" or "be present in the moment". I'm always skeptical of self-help books and whether their suggestions are legit or not, but it looks like she's referenced some research on how her strategies affect brain chemistry. My main issue is that she alludes in a couple of places to collective struggle but never talks about that in depth. Her thesis is that people who are more resilient individually have the energy to organize around electing better officials and demanding fairer treatment, and I just don't think that will magically happen. And one of her strategies is "building community" but that chapter mostly refers to icebreakers that people can do during meetings and stuff; unions don't come up at all. I would have appreciated a more thorough exploration of teacher organizing.
November 21, 2018
Loved this book and all of the suggestions. Recommending it as a district read!
May 17, 2022
This book was required reading for all of the teachers in my building this year. It had some good points, but other points I didn't buy into at all. With anything like this, you take what works and let the rest go.
Points I'll take with me from the book:
*10% of teacher suffer from depression which is higher than the national average of 6.7%.
*Teachers face a lot of stress and get little support to manage it.
*Being under stress for a long time affects your adrenal glands and makes you feel tired and down. I have definitely been exploring chronic fatigue and adrenal fatigue this past year so this statement caught my eye.
*I have been dealing with a lot of fear this year and it has definitely affected me in the classroom.
*I need to try to look for more positive than I do most of the time.
*I struggled with the competence ladder this year.
*I have not been part of a learning organization this year. I've not been allowed to disagree with others (my classroom furniture), I have not been encouraged to try things this year but have been given ultimatums, I have to follow things exactly how it has always been done - I'm not allowed to put my spin on things, I've not been allowed to try things and learn from them, I've only received criticism this year instead of feedback, I have not felt safe to share things with others, leaders in my school are not kind but rather demand.
*I've tried to focus on the things I can influence and that is my students. Everything else, I have tried to quietly accept and do what I can to be good for my students. I'm in a bad situation but I can still make my classroom happy for my students.
*Focus my energy where it counts. I've stopped doing a lot of the little things I did over the years I have taught. I rarely change bulletin boards, and I don't spend a lot of time decorating my classroom. I invest in my students' learning.
*Appreciation is important and I have not felt much appreciation in my current placement. I don't need a lot but kind words go a long way.
I'm glad to be done with this book!! I got a few things out of it. It helped me to understand my frustrations and accept my vulnerability this year in the hardest year of teaching in my life. Sadly, it was my co-workers and administrators that made it such a miserable year. I cried a lot while reading this book. So.....I guess I did need some of the chapters this year to get through it. I've asked to be moved to another building next year and am hopeful to be happier. I've been dealing with burn-out and that is part of my issue too, I know.
Points I'll take with me from the book:
*10% of teacher suffer from depression which is higher than the national average of 6.7%.
*Teachers face a lot of stress and get little support to manage it.
*Being under stress for a long time affects your adrenal glands and makes you feel tired and down. I have definitely been exploring chronic fatigue and adrenal fatigue this past year so this statement caught my eye.
*I have been dealing with a lot of fear this year and it has definitely affected me in the classroom.
*I need to try to look for more positive than I do most of the time.
*I struggled with the competence ladder this year.
*I have not been part of a learning organization this year. I've not been allowed to disagree with others (my classroom furniture), I have not been encouraged to try things this year but have been given ultimatums, I have to follow things exactly how it has always been done - I'm not allowed to put my spin on things, I've not been allowed to try things and learn from them, I've only received criticism this year instead of feedback, I have not felt safe to share things with others, leaders in my school are not kind but rather demand.
*I've tried to focus on the things I can influence and that is my students. Everything else, I have tried to quietly accept and do what I can to be good for my students. I'm in a bad situation but I can still make my classroom happy for my students.
*Focus my energy where it counts. I've stopped doing a lot of the little things I did over the years I have taught. I rarely change bulletin boards, and I don't spend a lot of time decorating my classroom. I invest in my students' learning.
*Appreciation is important and I have not felt much appreciation in my current placement. I don't need a lot but kind words go a long way.
I'm glad to be done with this book!! I got a few things out of it. It helped me to understand my frustrations and accept my vulnerability this year in the hardest year of teaching in my life. Sadly, it was my co-workers and administrators that made it such a miserable year. I cried a lot while reading this book. So.....I guess I did need some of the chapters this year to get through it. I've asked to be moved to another building next year and am hopeful to be happier. I've been dealing with burn-out and that is part of my issue too, I know.
April 11, 2019
I've been listening to this book, little-by-little, every day since I purchased it on Audible about a week ago. I can't recommend it enough to every single colleague near and far. Whether a first year teacher, a new tenure, a 20 year veteran or someone ready to retire, this book focuses on building resilience in the face of all types of stress we typically deal with in the education profession, both in and out of the classroom. I find myself grabbing my notebook and jotting down some of the many important points I want to remember and carry with me.
Elena Aguilar organizes the book according to 12 habits we can focus on. The habits - such as understanding emotions, cultivating community and riding the waves of change - correspond to months of a typical school year. Unlike my current, first draft reading of the whole book at once, Aguilar's vision is that the reader digests chapters slowly, working through the provided activities and ideally sharing experiences with colleagues.
This book is not just about changing attitudes. That's not something that necessarily sticks or works. What this book offers is REAL, practical steps to take to build our individual resiliences we can control in working with day-to-day stress factors. I especially value the section at the end of each chapter, implications for leaders, in which Aguilar offers what leaders can do to play out the practices to make our working environment a more positive place.
I earnestly look forward to listening to the rest of this book!! I already recommended this to three of my colleagues and plan on sharing it with so much more!! After I read this through, I'm planning on getting the workbook, and re-reading and reflecting deeper on the habits Aguilar asks us to look at to build our resilience and thrive in the educational field we are blessed to work in!!
Elena Aguilar organizes the book according to 12 habits we can focus on. The habits - such as understanding emotions, cultivating community and riding the waves of change - correspond to months of a typical school year. Unlike my current, first draft reading of the whole book at once, Aguilar's vision is that the reader digests chapters slowly, working through the provided activities and ideally sharing experiences with colleagues.
This book is not just about changing attitudes. That's not something that necessarily sticks or works. What this book offers is REAL, practical steps to take to build our individual resiliences we can control in working with day-to-day stress factors. I especially value the section at the end of each chapter, implications for leaders, in which Aguilar offers what leaders can do to play out the practices to make our working environment a more positive place.
I earnestly look forward to listening to the rest of this book!! I already recommended this to three of my colleagues and plan on sharing it with so much more!! After I read this through, I'm planning on getting the workbook, and re-reading and reflecting deeper on the habits Aguilar asks us to look at to build our resilience and thrive in the educational field we are blessed to work in!!
January 6, 2023
I am a Special Education Teacher. I found this book after hearing Elena Aguilar on a podcast. I bought the book and the workbook to read with the Teacher's Aide in my classroom. My Principal heard about it and we invited her to join us. We liked it so much, we decided to create a book club for all the interested teachers the following school year.
It is best if you start the book in June. Each chapter coincides with a month in a teacher's school year. The themes all go along with how teachers are feeling that month.
Resilience is definitely a buzz word in education right now. The teacher shortage, the substitute shortage, and the overall burnout after distance learning have been a challenge. I don't think there is a book that can solve any of the problems of the education system. This book doesn't ask to solve the problem. This book finds ways to help teachers understand what is going on in a specific part of the school year and how we can build resilience or find things that give us peace so that we can tackle the the challenges. Teaching is not going to get easier any time soon. Why not find ways to make our lives better so that we can do the things we are passionate about? This books talks about finding joy, finding space, setting boundaries.
I definitely recommend reading this with a group. While it can be read on your own, reading it with a group of teachers, part of the office staff, and our Principal was a fantastic way to hold each other accountable. During the month of play, we texted each other pictures or videos of how we were playing. We were able to brainstorm what we found interesting and how we could apply those things to our lives. I thought our staff was close before reading the book, it helped us be a more collaborative and supportive unit.
It is best if you start the book in June. Each chapter coincides with a month in a teacher's school year. The themes all go along with how teachers are feeling that month.
Resilience is definitely a buzz word in education right now. The teacher shortage, the substitute shortage, and the overall burnout after distance learning have been a challenge. I don't think there is a book that can solve any of the problems of the education system. This book doesn't ask to solve the problem. This book finds ways to help teachers understand what is going on in a specific part of the school year and how we can build resilience or find things that give us peace so that we can tackle the the challenges. Teaching is not going to get easier any time soon. Why not find ways to make our lives better so that we can do the things we are passionate about? This books talks about finding joy, finding space, setting boundaries.
I definitely recommend reading this with a group. While it can be read on your own, reading it with a group of teachers, part of the office staff, and our Principal was a fantastic way to hold each other accountable. During the month of play, we texted each other pictures or videos of how we were playing. We were able to brainstorm what we found interesting and how we could apply those things to our lives. I thought our staff was close before reading the book, it helped us be a more collaborative and supportive unit.
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