The past two years have been challenging for students and educators alike because of Covid-19.
The pandemic has caused major disruptions in the teaching and learning process, living in uncertain times both educators and students have had to become more resilient and find new ways of making the process beneficial for both parties.
While things might seem normal now in the education sector, it is honestly far from it. Educators have had to develop high levels of resilience in order to navigate unfamiliar territory in an environment that constantly requires one to produce results.
The educational environment is changing and the need for quality education is getting more imperative.
Educators need to start putting themselves first, yes, the job of an educator is reliant on the students, but with all the social issues educators need to be ready for anything. In my opinion there are three main factors to look out for when developing resilience as an educator:
Accepting uncertainty and be willing to adjust: Teaching in South Africa has become a job for people with thick skin. Being an educator at any level requires a deeper level of understanding, because students’ needs differ, and the support needs to be continuously adjusted to suit the needs of each student. Online education in tertiary institutions is doing well, and that’s because educators have found ways to close the gap and compensate for the lack of physical presence.
Reflection: To grow and succeed in a career of academia it is vital to always look back and see what can be done better. Drawing strength from past challenges is the best way to build resilience, while situations might not be the same, but having a can-do attitude will make a difference in your career.
Exercise patience and empathy: We have often heard people say, “leave your feelings out of your work”, well this does not apply to educators. Patience and empathy are critical for educators, they create a sense of understanding in tricky situations.
As an educator you learn just as much as your students, so making mistakes and failure are part of the process. Never view uncertainty and difficulties as a barrier, but rather as a learning opportunity and growth, do not let the fear of failure control you, because this emotion has the capability to keep you stuck. Always remember that resilience is a journey not a destination, nobody can ever say that they are fully resilient, so continue to practice and cultivate it.
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Brian Mhlanga, executive educator and leadership coach.
