Dr Lucy Kelly is an Associate Professor in Education at the University of Bristol, primarily working with PGCE English trainee teachers. She advocates that trainee teachers see themselves as their own biggest resource in the classroom, and that they prioritise their wellbeing from the outset. Her main research interest is reflective practice as a positive tool for educator wellbeing, and she is Principal Investigator for the 'Reimagining the Diary' project, which uses a multimodal Diary Toolkit and ongoing wellbeing CPD to support educators across the country. The team have now launched a student Diary Toolkit, which is currently being tested by 250 year 12 pupils. Lucy has written numerous previous articles on educator wellbeing and reflective practice and presented her work on podcasts, at conferences and on the radio.
If you're in education, then you know that while there are many positives to the profession, it is also facing many challenges. From planning, to assessments, to internal and external invigilation, our work/life balance is being tipped in the wrong direction, and it can be hard to prioritise ourselves on the 'to do' list. In this context diary-keeping can help us gain insight into our wellbeing needs and move forward in our lives, both personally and professionally. This easy-to-use text offers the reader numerous pathways to help unlock the diary format, from an overview of diary keeping and why it's important for educator wellbeing, to simple pragmatic guidance to help make diary keeping a sustainable part of your practice, and plenty of practical tips, strategies, and activities for you to try out yourself. The multifaceted approach it takes - including writing, drawing and audio recordings - is not only fun and creative, but essential when it comes to understanding yourself and your own complex needs. Reimagining the Diary also contains numerous opportunities for you to reflect on your own wellbeing and how your diary can support you with getting to know what you need to flourish inside and outside the classroom. By adopting these small changes, you can start to address your wellbeing needs and rebalance your work and, more importantly, your life.