First Person
By Ronen Habib
Eight years ago, I was beginning to feel burned out. As a teacher at Gunn High School in Palo Alto, Calif., I first taught math and then moved onto algebra, AP economics, and history. I was tired of the amount of work it took to plan lessons, teach, create assessments, and grade, and I was frustrated with my students' obsession with working for grades, rather than their natural curiosity to learn. Conversations with parents about why their child earned a B+ instead of an A- drove me crazy. I began to lose touch with the real reasons I became a teacher.
But in May of 2009, I received a rude wake-up call. I arrived at school to an emergency meeting; one of my students had committed suicide. I was shocked and devastated.
As I sat in the first row at the student's funeral, I was overcome with emotions, bawling alongside my students, and the deceased student's family. He was in my class for six months and in so much pain, I thought. How did I miss this? How were we so disconnected that I had no idea?
Before my student's suicide, I was nave. I looked at my students and made assumptions that they were fine. I would tell myself, "We live in an amazing place at a high-achieving school. These kids have bright futureshow hard could their lives really be?" And I would focus on the content of my teaching and my students' performance. But under the smiles and the high or low grades, my students experienced internal struggles that were not always readily visible.
Although I felt helpless in the face of my student's suicide, I suddenly felt a new purpose. I knew that something needed to change. If I were to continue to be an educator, nothing could stop me from putting my students' well-being first. I became determined to figure out how to connect more authentically and form stronger relationships with my students. I wouldn't worry about academic standards, content, or grades, until I made sure they felt like they belonged and gave them more skills to ride the waves of life.
I set out to create a course on positive psychology, the scientific study of what makes life most worth living, for juniors and seniors at my school. The curriculum focused on personal empowerment: We live life "choice by choice." I taught students that it's critical to be aware of our emotions as well as the suffering that can be caused by our thoughts. We dont need to "buy into" what our inner critic is telling us, and treating ourselves with compassion is key to our well-being and resilience. In the first year, 107 students signed up. Year after year, I've seen hundreds of students pass through my classroom and change their behavior, including the debilitating nature of perfectionism so many students wrestle with in high school.
These principles were also useful in every other class that I taught. Incorporating just five minutes of mindfulness into my AP economics course saved instructional minutes because the students were more focused.
To train other teachers to use strategies of positive psychology with their students, I created EQ Schools, a California-based organization that empowers educators through positive psychology, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness training. In trainings, teachers learn about the neurobiology of stress, focus, and happiness, as well as the creative ways to incorporate play and social-emotional skills in classrooms such as playing games and doing yoga. Teachers say that they felt revived and inspired, and that bringing emotions into learning, as well as taking stock of how burned out they are, is transforming their classrooms.
Over the last few years, I've had the privilege of working with thousands of educators across California, and it's abundantly clear that our societys obsession with academic performance and preparing students for tests leaves them, and many teachers, drained and empty. As teachers, we want our students to be well-educated, but when the balance shifts to focusing on educating students brains to the detriment of their well-being, students are at risk.
And it's not only students who are struggling. Teaching is one of the most stressful professions, and burnout rates are very high. But it doesn't have to be this way. It is time for us to prioritize and infuse our schools with more joy, connection, and a focus on well-being. Learning will deepen, academic achievements will improve, and we'll raise a generation of happier, well-adjusted, and creatively confident people.
Research shows that emotional intelligence is far more predictive of a person's future success than academic achievements. Happier students and teachers tend to be more productive, creative, and resilient. And happiness is a positive-sum game. The happier you are as a teacher, the happier your students and colleagues will be, too.
So, how can you work to bring more happiness into your classroom?
Be present. You know those times you are with a student or colleague, but you are actually ruminating about how your last lesson went or why some of your student scored poorly on a portion of a test? Or perhaps youre fearing the evaluation that you will get from your department head? You're not being present and this diminishes your well-being. The trick isn't to beat yourself up when you notice your mind wandering, but to remind yourself to return your focus. Bringing your mind back when it wanders can go a long way toward strengthening the muscle of being present.
Connect deeply with others. According to Harvard University's Study of Adult Development, which has studied participants mental and physical health over decades, relationships are the No. 1 predictor of happiness and longevity. Before you begin your class, take three deep breaths and as your students enter the classroom, greet them with warmth and eye contact, and maybe even send them silent good thoughts. Ask yourself, what is one small step you can take today to cultivate or feed a supportive learning environment and connect with students?
Take time to experience positive emotions. Take a moment to think about one thing you feel grateful for today and savor that feeling. Give a colleague a compliment or write them a supportive note. Games, like "Pass the Sound," also help to foster joy and build community in your classroom. Have your students stand in a circle. Tell the first person next to you to clap, and then the next, and the next, until the clap gets all the way around the circle. Explain that this is timed and the goal is to "pass the clap" under a certain number of seconds. Tell them that if we 'fail,' we are going to celebrate our failure like crazy! In unison, shout "woohoo!" and throw our hands up in the air. If they are successful, up the challenge by decreasing the number of seconds. And so on. Cultivate a playful attitude. Cheer them on, and tell them you believe in them, even if we fail all together.
Feel your negative feelings. Some might think that the best way to get through difficult emotions is to ignore them and move on. But the more you suppress your emotions, the more problematic they become. As teachers, we must cultivate nonjudgmental awareness of difficult feelings so we can strive to be more perceptive to our students when they are down. Letting them know they are not alone in struggling with anger or sadness will help them feel more comfortable reaching out to others for support.
Invest in self-care. When I ask teachers what they do for self-care, they often chuckle, "Who has time for that?" But if you don't learn to put the oxygen mask on yourself first, you might unintentionally affect your students because you seem grouchy or distant. You might also burn out, which means your students would miss out on your gifts. Take a moment to think about what recharges your battery, whether it's going on a walk outside and appreciating the trees or taking a slightly longer showerschedule it into your day.
Continue to grow and pursue intrinsic goals. Your professional development and growth should be meaningful. Take time to identify a personal or professional goal you have for yourself and break it down into steps. What kind of impact do you make for your students, and how are you going to do so?
Photo provided by author.
Coverage of social and emotional learning is supported in part by a grant from the NoVo Foundation, at http://www.novofoundation.org. Education Week retains sole editorial control over the content of this coverage.
Ronen Habib is a teacher and ed-tech coordinator at Gunn High School in Palo Alto, Calif. He is the founder of EQ Schools, which provides emotional-intelligence training to teachers, students, and parents in the United States and abroad. He is also a contributing writer for EdSurge.
Web Only
Back to Top
Read more:
Happiness Before Homework: Focusing on Feelings in the Classroom - Education Week (subscription)
- Empowering Women - Self Empowerment, Personal & Spiritual ... [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2016]
- Leadership Skills for Nurse Managers: Personal Empowerment [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2016]
- Empowering Women - Self Empowerment, Personal & Spiritual ... [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2016]
- Life Coaching for Personal and Professional Empowerment [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2016]
- Empowerment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2016]
- Counselling and Hypnotherapy in ... - Personal Empowerment [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2016]
- Personal Empowerment Group . com - Empowering You [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2016]
- Personal Empowerment Programs - Empowerment Institute [Last Updated On: March 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 28th, 2016]
- Series On Personal Empowerment at Psychology, Philosophy ... [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- The Secrets of Personal Empowerment [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Personal Empowerment Solutions.com | All about Personal ... [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- Personal Empowerment Solutions.com | All about Personal ... [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- The Meaning of Empowerment - Powerful Information [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Mental Health Counseling, Personal Empowerment | Kansas ... [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2016]
- Self Empowerment Appears Fundamental For Personal Development [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2016]
- Minds Of Power: What Is Personal Empowerment? [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2016]
- Authentic Empowerment - Personal and Professional Life ... [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- Personal Empowerment Coach Certification - The S.W.A.T ... [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- Bodies of Empowerment Personal Training [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2016]
- Charlotte Kasl [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2016]
- Empowerment and Strengths-Based Perspective: Social Work [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2017]
- Empowerment Theory - Springer [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2017]
- Top 100 Womens Empowerment Blogs | Psychology of Eating [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2017]
- radKIDS.org - The national leader in children's safety [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2017]
- Personal Empowerment Program : World Youth [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2017]
- 'This is a phase of empowerment' - The Hindu [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- 'Pink' actress joins campaign for women empowerment - The New Indian Express [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- GHCM's new MD on the importance of mentorship, youth empowerment - Bizcommunity.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- 8 Steps to Personal Empowerment - Entrepreneur [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Making Sure Our Longer Lives Are Healthy Ones - Next Avenue [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Teachers ruling a stark reminder - Coast Reporter - Coast Reporter [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- UMass Amherst Celebrates Black Heritage Month - UMass News and Media Relations [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Help yourself, Feb. 8 | Town Crier | trib.com - Casper Star-Tribune Online [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Discover meaning at the Festival of Faiths, April 19 24 - Insider Louisville [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Another Voice: Land trust will empower Fruit Belt residents - Buffalo News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Town Crier: Help Yourself - Casper Star-Tribune Online [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Boston's Office of Financial Empowerment Wants to Spread the Wealth - Next City [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- WE Are Women's Philanthropy - Jewish Exponent [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Genki Spark shines light on female empowerment through taiko - Daily Free Press (subscription) [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Empowering the Data Subject Manila Bulletin Business - Manila Bulletin [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- The Problem With A 'Shoppable' Presidency - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- The Ripple - Olney Daily Mail [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Fire service receives funding to deliver 'personal development ... - Wiltshire Times [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Northwest Credit Union Foundation partners with BALANCE to provide personal finance training to MESA participants - CUinsight.com (press release) [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Bells University, New Horizons sign MoU On ICT empowerment for students - NIGERIAN TRIBUNE (press release) (blog) [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Mastering Trump's mastermind: Sebastian Gorka and the struggle between Islam and the West - EUROPP - European Politics and Policy (blog) [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Springs School News, February 16 - Springs - 27east - 27east.com [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- 5 Steps To Validate Your Business Idea Before Getting Started - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Milk Makeup Is Celebrating Its Anniversary With A New Campaign - NYLON [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- 2017 Chicago Women's Conference & Expo Coming to South Suburban College on March 17th - eNews Park Forest [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Melinda Gates Credits Contraception With Her Personal and Professional Success - Slate Magazine (blog) [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- REBELLIOUS COACHING - Personal Empowerment Coaching [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Personal Empowerment | SkillsYouNeed [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- 4 Low-Cost Benefits That Majorly Boost Employee Healthiness - Tech.Co [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Shamanic Healer Anahata Ananda Shares Benefits of Breathwork for Healing Trauma and Planting Roots of Strength ... - Benzinga [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Ajit Pai's digital empowerment agenda is good news for rural America - The Hill (blog) [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- The truth about Ivanka's Trumped-up, me-first feminism - Macleans.ca [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Transformation of South Africa needs high sense of consciousness for social justice for success - Thought Leader [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Pink Gloves Boxing: Women's class focuses on empowerment ... - The Missoulian [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Teaching Our Kids Real from Fake - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Shaking The Fear Of Breastfeeding In Public | The Huffington Post - Huffington Post UK [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- OUR VIEW: On Presidents Day, we celebrate the good ones - East Oregonian (subscription) [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Impact 100 members tour remodeled STEP Training Center - TCPalm [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Bloomfield Company Uses Disney Princesses To Promote Female Empowerment - Patch.com [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar conducts DSN Prog online - Daily Excelsior [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Viewpoints: The case for expanding Empowerment Scholarship Accounts - AZCentral.com [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Apple Music just released an album made on an iPhone ... - Computerworld [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Pushing past barriers: Program aims to foster empowering female relationships - Grand Forks Herald [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- MILCK comes to Portland this week to emPOWer - Oregon Music News [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Sippican to Implement 'radKIDS' Defense Program - Wanderer [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Personal trainer focuses on client empowerment - Clearfield Progress [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Black History Month: Recovering Our Personal Narrative - Muslim Link [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Judge Holds NYPD's Feet to Fire on Press Credentials - Courthouse ... - Courthouse News Service [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Realizing Economic Empowerment For All Americans - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Black Women Aren't Having Enough Orgasms And Their Careers Are To Blame Says Author - MadameNoire [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- This women's sport you've never heard of is taking Israel by storm - Jewish Telegraphic Agency [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Port Hope girls learn empowerment - Northumberland Today [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Federal Judge Says NYC's Regulation Of The Press Will Go On Trial - Village Voice [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Consult a psychic - for empowerment - Philly.com [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Digital Inclusion Summit: Training, Partnerships Are Key - Rivard Report [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]