Self-Compassion for Education Professionals

Pilot Program

Interested in making some very positive changes in your life (and your school)?

Needs Focused Teaching, in conjunction with The Life Raft, is launching a new initiative - helping schools to promote and teach kindness and compassion.

We are looking for teachers and school leaders to take part in our first pilot study.

In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the importance of mental and emotional well-being in schools, and the role that kindness and compassion can play in promoting this. However, what is often overlooked is the crucial first step in this process – developing self-compassion in our own lives.

Self-Compassion for Increased Resilience, Confidence and Wellbeing

Research indicates that self-compassion is one of the most powerful sources of coping and resilience we have available, radically improving our mental and physical wellbeing. It is also provides the foundation for improvement in personal relationships.

The Self-Compassion for Educators program will equip participants with strategies to manage stress, improve self-image and experience a deep sense of connection and inner strength. By fostering an attitude of kindness and understanding towards oneself, educators can navigate the pressures of their job more effectively, reduce the risk of burnout and enhance their overall well-being and happiness.

Why is it important for school leaders and teachers to prioritise self-compassion in their own lives?

The answer is simple: our own self-compassion sets the tone for the school community.When we are kind and understanding towards ourselves, we create a culture of kindness and compassion that extends to those around us. Our actions and attitudes serve as a model for our students, who will learn from our example.

In addition, when we are self-compassionate, we are better equipped to deal with the challenges, pressures and stresses of the job. Self-compassion enables us to respond to challenges with a greater sense of equanimity and emotional resilience. This, in turn, helps us to maintain a positive and supportive environment for our students and colleagues, even during very difficult times.

The good news is that self-compassion is not a fixed trait, but rather a skill that can be learned and developed through practice. Self-compassion exercises have been shown in various studies to increase self-compassion levels in individuals which can then be applied in daily life.

By teaching and promoting self-compassion in schools we can help to create a more positive and supportive learning environment that promotes well-being, resilience, and academic success. And, by leading by example, we can model self-compassionate behaviour and inspire others to follow suit and create a more supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Place are limited - if you would like to take part in this 6-week live-via-zoom pilot program to learn how to be more self-compassionate fill in the form below.

Further Benefits Experienced by Those Practicing Self-Compassion

Well-being – people who are taught to be more self-compassionate tend to become less depressed, less anxious, are less likely to suffer from excessive shame or suicidal ideation. It results in an increase in positive emotions: optimism, hope for the future.
Self-esteem – Self-esteem fluctuates. It is based on social comparison (you have to be better than others in order to have self-esteem) whereas self-compassion you don’t have to be better than anyone, you just have to be human. Self-esteem is not as stable as self-compassion because it is entirely dependent on achievement and it deserts you at times of failure – whereas this self-compassion is always there for you.
Better coping skills – The way people treat themselves during hard times (trauma, relationship breakdowns) is a strong predictor of future mental health and emotional problems. People who practice self-compassion are kinder to themselves and bounce back faster from setbacks. Self-compassion helps you get through hard times – It’s a strength, not a weakness.
Healthier habits and behaviours – Whereas self-indulgence focuses on immediate pleasures but ultimately leads to long term harm, self-compassion involves making choices that alleviate one’s own suffering. People who are more self-compassionate make healthier and more caring choices for themselves and their futures.
More compassion for others – Because practicing self-compassion brings you in touch with your ability to meet your own needs – when you give yourself what you need, this gives you a greater pool of energy to allow you to respond sensitively to the needs of others. This also leads to less burnout when giving to others.
Better interpersonal relationships – Self-compassion leads to less selfish behavior in relationships. People who practice self-compassion are more capable of being intimate, are more giving, and are less controlling.

How it works

The Self-Compassion for Educators pilot program is a Live-Via-Zoom, 6-week program. Recordings will be provided for all sessions but live attendance will be required on at least 4 of the sessions. You'll gain lifetime access to all materials ensuring that you can visit the training whenever you need a refresher.

At the end of the pilot you'll be asked to provide feedback on any changes you experience in your teaching and your life as a result of the training.

The program commences Tuesday May 14th.

Each week's tution will consist of 1 x 60-minute live Zoom session followed by mini-refreshers and reminders delivered by email to encourage 20-30 minute minute daily practice. There will be a break of 1 week during half term.

The weekly live session will be recorded for those who can't make the call and offered live TWICE each week to accommodate time zones and lifestyle preferences:
6:00am UK time
8:30pm UK time

About Your Trainer

Rob Plevin first started meditating as a way of overcoming severe work stress more than 25 years ago. He began incorporating self-compassion principles into his practice to overcome severe PTSD and burnout in 2010 and has been teaching mindfulness since 2012. Rob is a certified Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher having qualified with Zenways (accredited by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association) in 2011. He is a Level 2 Youth Mindfulness Soma Programme Teacher, a Yoga Teachers College® Certified Yoga Breath Coach® and underwent training and mentoring with Kristin Neff's Centre for Mindful Self-Compassion from 2022-2023. He received the Zen Buddhist Precepts in 2019.

"Rob explains what can be quite difficult concepts very simply and makes mindfulness and meditation very accessible. He has a wonderful style of delivery which is very relaxing and well paced. I have really enjoyed and benefited greatly from the Zendo sessions & I would encourage anybody looking to learn mindfulness and meditation to enrol on a course with Rob at the Life Raft."
Caroline Livingstone

Get on the Waitlist

As this is a live program places are limited. We have just 50 places available. Those on the waitlist will be given a priority booking link in the next few days.

Priority pricing will open for one week only and will be just £95 per person. Discounted pricing will be offered for bookings of more than one member of staff. Details are on the next page.

Join the Waitlist

Get on the list to receive a priority booking link in the next 7 days.