Anglophone group

I don't know if this happens to you too...

Every summer, I promise myself that I'll completely switch off.

And every summer, my teacher brain sneaks back in when I least expect it.

I'll be out for a walk, reading a book, or having coffee with friends... and suddenly I'll think, "Next year, I might try that differently."

For years, I used to feel guilty about that. I thought I wasn't really taking a break.

Now I've started looking at it differently.

I'll admit it... every summer I tell myself I'm finally going to slow down.

Some years I manage it. Other years, I find myself reading about education, dreaming up new ideas, or planning projects that excite me.

I know I'm probably not the only one!

So I'm curious...

💙 Who Made a Difference for You This Year?

As another school year comes to an end, I've been thinking about all the people who quietly make our work a little easier.

• The colleague who checks in after a difficult lesson.

• The one who shares a resource just when you need it.

• The one who listens without judging.

Hello,

I hope you're doing well and are ready for a new week! We had a terrible heat waves in Europe the last week, but I think that it is a little better today, here in Switzerland.

Before we all switch off for the summer, would you mind sharing one moment from this school year that made you smile?

Share a photo or a story! 

@Everyone

For some of us, it's soon time to close the doors. Is this you too?

But, before we do, some school days remain.

For those who are drained of energy, please help!

What are your favourite ways to keep learning happening yet keeping it fun in those last weeks of school? Inspire us ✨ with some fresh ideas!

Aujourd’hui, j’aimerais vous inviter à partager une photo de quelque chose que vous avez remarqué, quelque chose qui a attiré votre attention ou qui vous est resté en tête.

• un petit détail dans la nature

• un moment de calme

• un lieu que vous avez visité

• une simple pause du quotidien

Pas besoin d’expliquer. Juste un aperçu de votre journée.

Today, I’d like to invite you to share a picture of something you noticed, something that caught your attention or something that stayed with you.

• a small detail in nature

• a moment of calm

• a place you visited

• a simple, everyday pause

No need to explain. Just a glimpse of what your day looked like.

What was your biggest achievement this quarter?

Let's celebrate together.

As the holidays approach, many of us are carrying more than just tired bodies. We’re holding decision fatigue, emotional load, and the mental clutter of everything left “to do.”

This visual by @sylviaduckworth is a gentle reminder that rest can take many forms.

Sleep in.

Play.

Create.

Do absolutely nothing.

I just read this article this morning and couldn’t wait to share it with you all: “Teachers’ Break Time” by Aprajita Ralli, published on September 30, 2025. (Link)

It’s a powerful reminder that while we often prioritize student well-being (and rightly so), we must equally reflect on teacher well-being. Aprajita beautifully writes about how even short breaks can become spaces of restoration, connection, and informal learning, and why these “small” moments actually have a huge impact on how we show up in the classroom.

Her words struck a chord with me, especially this line:

"When teachers thrive, students flourish."

I’d love to hear from you.

• How does your school celebrate and protect teacher well-being during the day?

I’ve been thinking about how busy children’s schedules are after school. Many kids go from class straight into clubs, sports, or lessons every single day.

Personally, I feel it’s so important for them to also have time to slow down, rest, and just enjoy the present moment. Being outside, playing freely, reading, or simply being with family. Not every afternoon needs to be “productive” to be valuable.

What do you think? Do kids today need structured clubs after school, or is there more benefit in giving them space to breathe and just be?

In wellbeing, the content is the process.

This really struck me. True wellbeing in schools isn’t about a “program” we add on. It is about taking time, listening deeply, and co-creating solutions with our staff and students.

When that happens, we build respect, connection, autonomy, and belonging, the real foundations of wellbeing.

I’ve seen some wonderful examples shared recently: reducing staff overload, restorative approaches to discipline, and wellbeing projects designed with students. Each was unique to its context, and each made a real difference.

• What does wellbeing look like in your school?

• What has worked for you, even in small ways, to support colleagues or students?

Ever had that moment where you think… “Why did I say that?” 

We’ve all had those face-palm reactions in the classroom or with colleagues. Emotional intelligence can help us catch ourselves to pause, reflect, and respond with intention instead of reacting on impulse.

Here’s a simple framework we love:

1️⃣ Notice your feelings

2️⃣ Pause (even 6 seconds can work wonders!)

3️⃣ Respond in a way you’ll feel proud of later

What’s one unexpected or meaningful moment from your summer that stayed with you?

It could be a conversation, a discovery, a quiet morning, or something that made you laugh out loud.

Let’s enjoy a little window into each other’s world.

Today I thought it would be interesting to talk about something that comes up a lot, but we don’t always name it directly.

How much freedom do you really have in your classroom?

We all know that teaching comes with a mix of responsibilities and constraints. But here’s the real question:

• How much space do you have to teach your way, to adapt lessons, bring in your voice, and respond to your students’ needs?

• And how much of your practice is shaped (or limited) by curriculum mandates, pacing guides, or school-wide consistency?

Some say teacher autonomy is essential for creativity, responsiveness, and joy.

Good morning,

I hope you’re finding space to breathe, reflect, and recharge.

What’s been your favorite moment so far this summer?

A place, a person, a feeling, a little ritual?

Feel free to share a photo, an anecdote, or just a few words.

Let’s take a moment to connect softly, simply, joyfully.

Hello,

I hope you’re enjoying your summer break, taking time to disconnect, breathe, and simply be.

How about sharing a little slice of your summer?

Whether you’re by the sea, swinging in a garden hammock, reading in a cozy café, or just soaking in the quiet…

We’d love to see what’s been recharging you these days.

Share a photo or a little story of what’s been filling your cup this summer. ☀️

Let’s play a little game to celebrate everything you’ve accomplished this year… even the messy, magical, unexpected parts!

• How many can you cross off?

(Feel free to screenshot, circle, or just shout “Bingo!” in the comments!)

✅ Survived a tech fail mid-lesson

✅ Taught outside your comfort zone

✅ A student made you laugh unexpectedly

Lately, I’ve been thinking about the quiet moments in the classroom—the ones we sometimes rush to fill.

But what if silence isn’t a gap in learning… but where the learning actually settles in?

Silence gives students time to think, process, form their own questions, and build confidence before they speak. It’s where ideas take shape. And yet, it can feel uncomfortable—for them and for us.

I’m trying to lean into that discomfort a little more. To count to ten before rephrasing a question. To resist jumping in with a prompt. To allow students to sit with their own thinking.

Have you noticed the power of silence in your own teaching?

How do you create room for those quiet moments of reflection?

Lately, I’ve been thinking about something that keeps coming up in conversations with other teachers:

Is it fair to expect us to act as counselors when we're already juggling so much academically?

I care deeply about my students, not just their learning but also their well-being. Like many of you, I often find myself offering emotional support, listening when a student is struggling, or trying to help them navigate personal challenges.

But honestly? Some days it feels like too much.

Between lesson planning, marking, admin tasks, and keeping up with curriculum goals, adding the weight of emotional care can feel overwhelming. And yet, we keep showing up, because we care.

I'm wondering… how are you managing this? Have you found ways to support students without burning out yourself? What kind of support do you wish schools offered teachers in this area?

That “aha!” moment - when everything clicks—is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. It’s incredible to witness students’ faces light up with understanding. These moments often arise when we adjust our approach or introduce a new perspective.

Have you experienced such a breakthrough recently? I’d love to hear about it!