How to be a Successful Teacher

Paul Castle joined the University of Worcester as a senior lecturer in September 2004. He was a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and registered with the Health & Care Professions Council. As an active practitioner, with over 20 years’ experience, Paul provided applied psychology consultancy to clients in a wide array of disciplines, with a particular emphasis on providing individual- and small-group support to teachers and lecturers, to ameliorate the effects of stress, depression and burnout. As Mental Health and Wellbeing (MHWB or MWB) Lead for the School of Sport & Exercise Science at Worcester, Paul embraced the emerging issue of MWB in students and staff within primary, secondary and tertiary education. He was an advocate for reducing the stigma associated with MWB and provided applied psychological support in guiding students through their own ‘personal challenges’ by a combination of sport, physical activity and psychological skills training. Paul was trained in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), in conjunction with his professional grounding. He was an active member of the ‘Suicide Safer’ Project Group at the University of Worcester, which aimed to promote ‘suicide safer communities’ both regionally and nationally.Scott Buckler has been involved in education since the 1990s, fluctuating between primary teaching, secondary teaching (science, computing, psychology), and universities (education, sport, psychology). From teaching research methods across the expanse of education (from the primary years through to doctorates), Scott has been an advocate of high quality research, through facilitating an open mind while maintaining academic integrity. His research has encompassed many areas, often with the theme of personal and professional growth, through the lens of transpersonal psychology. His PhD thesis was interdisciplinary, combining anthropology and psychology to explore the way that the martial arts lead to personal transformation. Professionally, Scott’s research is predominantly in applied educational psychology, inclusive education, and research methods. Scott is a Chartered Teacher and Chartered Psychologist.

′Reading this book may change your attitude to your students, your colleagues and most of all, to yourself. It is written accessibly and has a pleasingly irreverent tone, but a warning: it will challenge you to think differently!′ - Phil Beadle, Columnist, Education Guardian′I picked the book up thinking that I’d better have a look at it as the deadline for submission of my review is looming and… I found myself hooked! Ten minutes later I was still reading for pleasure. I even found myself laughing!′ - ESCalate′It is rare to find a book on teaching that actually provokes thought and stimulates a whole new approach to improving the chances of successful teaching. This book really is a must for anyone within the teaching sector wishing to reach new standards and enjoy greater success in their chosen career...The book is packed with advice, activities and reflections and each chapter concludes with a one minute summary. Overall, this is an excellent book that can really make a difference′ - Amazon Customer Review

• About the authorsAcknowledgmentsPrefaceForewordHow to use this bookPART ONE: PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTSThe morning bell: another day begins! IntroductionWhat was I saying? Concentration and attentionWhat am I doing here? MotivationI can′t do it! Confidence and self-esteemI can′t cope! Emotion, mood and stressFlexibility for action! Adapting to changePART TWO: PHYSICAL ISSUESFitness to Teach: A healthy body equals a healthy mind - Nutrition, hydration and health PART THREE: PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS TRAININGI have 101 things to do…what do I attempt first? Goal settingTake a ′break′: RelaxationIs talking to yourself the first sign of ′madness′? Self-talk and cognitive restructuringIs hallucinating the second sign of ′madness′? Mental imageryWhen the going gets tough…! Mental resiliencePART FOUR: EPILOGUEThe final bell… the journey beginsReferencesIndex