Inspiration and resources for balance before burnout

7 Colleagues Part 2 – The Wise One

Posted By Melissa

Everyone needs their own Obi-wan Kenobi to guide them through no matter how many years of experience you have.  The Wise One has seen the educational pendulum swing in many different directions and has endured.  In many articles and lessons at The Whole Teacher we talk of the importance of not re-inventing the wheel … pardon the cliche …  and what better way to find some strategies and lessons that work, than from some one who’s tried them?

Your Wise One can help by listening to you, offering suggestions, or just supporting you.  In our guidance office we have 2 women who will be retiring at the end of this year.  They have been amazing mentor’s for myself and the other 2 counselors who also started the same year.  One thing I truly appreciate is that when things have gotten really tough and overwhelming and I feel like I can’t keep up, they often are feeling the same way and this validates the fact that sometimes the job is just tough and that I don’t need to be so self critical. 

A  mentor can help with learning the ropes of a specific subject or the social constructs of your school.  In addition to receiving help from your wise one you may also be offering the new perspective of the Fresh Colleague.  In a few days I’ll share about the importance of someone "fresher" than you.

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