SHBS Homeroom Teacher Empowerment WorkshopFrom students to teachers, we collectively safeguard every soul
At SHBS, we firmly believe that education truly comes to life only when the inner worlds of both teachers and students are seen and nourished. Following the school-wide exploration of "coexisting with anxiety" on October 10, we turned our focus on October 20 to the guides of our students—the homeroom teachers—by hosting the second Homeroom Teacher Empowerment Workshop, themed "Love Fills and Overflows."
Shedding Armor - Healing Through Listening in "Work Venting Sessions"
The activity began with a unique "work venting session." Homeroom teachers, who usually pour all their energy into their students, finally had the opportunity to let their guard down and openly share the pressures and anxieties they've faced since the start of the school year.
"A few students in my class just can’t keep up with the pace. I’ve been staying late every day to tutor them, but there’s still no progress…"
"Parents have conflicting expectations about education, and communicating with them is especially draining…"
These honest sentiments resonated deeply with everyone present. Through mutual listening, understanding, and empathy, long-suppressed pressures were released. In that moment, they were no longer isolated islands but a collective that could support and warm one another.
Energy Self-Check - Identifying Drain Sources and Discovering "Recharging Stations"After sharing their feelings, the teachers turned inward for reflection. Holding a personalized "Energy Battery Chart," they carefully assessed their current energy levels (ranging from 0 for "depleted" to 5 for "fully charged") and identified their individual "energy drains" and "energy boosters."
"Students who are hard to motivate," "blurred boundaries in parent-teacher communication," "endless trivial tasks"... These were the common energy challenges many teachers faced. Yet, energy was also found in countless warm details:
"A student willingly sharing their feelings with me after class."
"A message from a graduate years later, unexpectedly sending birthday wishes."
"Seeing the light of understanding spark in children’s eyes during a lesson."
These sincere feedbacks and moments of growth from students became the most direct and effective "rechargers" for teachers in times of exhaustion.
Tools & Methods - "You Are Not Alone"Belief & "Psychological Nutrition Check-ins"“You are not alone.” — this statement from psychological mentor Ms. Miao brought profound comfort and strength to the gathering. She emphasized that self-care does not mean facing challenges alone, and that the entire homeroom teacher team is each other's most solid support system.
More importantly, she introduced practical self-care tools — the "Psychological Nutrition Check-in Kit." Using real-life examples, she guided everyone step by step:
When feeling anxious, first acknowledge the emotion, then list pending tasks one by one, gradually reducing anxiety through actionable progress.
Upon receiving a warm thank-you message from a student, promptly record and cherish this touch, transforming it into lasting inner energy that fuels your journey ahead.
Vision & Commitment: Making Inner Fulfillment a HabitAt the conclusion of the workshop, Ms. Miao presented all homeroom teachers with the "Psychological Nutrition Check-in Challenge," encouraging them to integrate the workshop's insights into their daily routines.
As she noted in her address, "The impact of education may not be immediate, and its results may not be instantly visible, but it will inevitably come to fruition. While we await the blossoming of our educational efforts, we must first ensure our own hearts remain full."
Looking ahead, Shanghai Hongrun Boyuan School will continue to prioritize the physical and mental well-being of our faculty. From empowerment workshops to regular staff massages, lunchtime yoga, and meditation sessions, these initiatives represent our steadfast commitment. Through diverse support systems, we aim to help teachers genuinely care for themselves, so they may guide students with healthy and fulfilled mindsets. We firmly believe that only when teachers feel wholly valued and supported can they pass on that love more completely and warmly to their students.