This project aims to support the mental wellbeing of secondary school educators. Through in-depth interviews, the methodology will uncover their unique needs and challenges. The website will then be tailored based on these insights, offering a comprehensive platform integrating dance therapy and mindfulness practices. The aim is to create an effective online hub that addresses specific concerns, fostering a supportive work environment and contributing to the overall mental wellbeing of educators in secondary schools.
This research project will address the pressing issue of mental wellbeing among secondary school educators. “Dance as a physical activity can potentially improve health physiologically, psychologically, and socially. Despite a recent surge in dance-related research, Karkou et all. suggest that this area of human behavior is still relatively unexplored” (Karkou, Oliver, & Lycouris, 2017). The aim of this dissertation project is to explore the challenges faced by educators in maintaining their sense of wellbeing amidst the demands of their profession, particularly as they prioritise the needs of their students and the responsibilities of their work. Recognising teachers as the cornerstone of effective learning environments, this study will seek to underscore the importance to look at teachers’ care towards wellbeing in order to optimise their capacity to nurture student growth. This research aims to propose a website as an actionable strategy for fostering a more sustainable and fulfilling professional experience for educators.
As a secondary school teacher with six years of experience, my direct involvement in this research will provide firsthand insights and expertise. Through reflective and critical reflection, I will use my direct day to day experience of teaching for informing the project’s design and implementation. In this way, I will ensure its relevance and practicality for educators. I anticipate this first-person research approach combined with in-depth interviews with teachers will help to contextualise and voice teachers’ needs and perspectives.
Drawing from a comprehensive literature review, the project is rooted in the synthesis of existing research on educators’ mental health and the potential efficacy of dance therapy and mindfulness practices. The integration of dance therapy into the educational context is a burgeoning field, and the literature underscores the potential impact of incorporating such practices into the routine of dance educators. Similarly, studies on mindfulness interventions in educational settings emphasize the importance of tailoring mental health initiatives to the specific needs of educators.
Sample Participants – Friends who are educators/experts in the field.
Minimum-Maximum participants- 5 educators
Over 18 years of age and I am open to any gender or nationality
Participant Recruitment through phone conversation, after which they will receive a written detailed project description via email.
The participants will be required to participate in a one-to-on interview(s), and provide details of their experience, perception and involvement in the development of the online resource.
-Participants will be recruited through purposive sampling, specifically targeting secondary school educators, with an emphasis on dance instructors. Collaboration with school administrators and dance education associations will facilitate access to potential informants. A formal invitation will be extended to educators expressing interest in mental wellbeing and innovative interventions.
-Participants will be required to engage in one-on-one in-depth interviews, providing rich insights into their experiences, challenges, and perspectives related to mental wellbeing. The interviews will focus on understanding their needs and preferences, particularly regarding the proposed online platform, dance therapy, and mindfulness practices. Consent for audio recording will be sought to ensure accurate data collection and analysis.
The Literature review ideally draws in aspects not only of educators wellbeing but also looking at what literarture is saying about wellbeing in general. Other literature not listed below is welcome.