What’s got you through this year? Reflections, survival and celebrations

In this reflective episode at the end of the school year, host Liz Worthen draws on the experiences of podcast guests to wonder: what’s got you through? What, or who, has sustained you? What storms have you survived? What do you want to celebrate? 

• Emma Gray recommends stepping into corridors, classrooms and playgrounds to reconnect with the energy and impact of young people
• Viv Grant shares how painting trees and leaning into nature during cancer treatment reshaped her perspective on wise leadership and surviving storms
• Paul K Ainsworth speaks to the “perma-crisis,” stressing that recovery is a process and urging leaders to rebuild reservoirs of hope by reaching out for support
• Carl Smith emphasises connection, integrity, self-forgiveness and hope. “What else can I do, but my best in this situation?” 

Liz closes with Tees Valley Education’s ‘counting the flowers’ practice – regularly naming green shoots and wins – plus an invitation to rest and refresh. 

Liz Worthen is an educator, researcher, podcaster and writer. Her career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development, creating resources which enable leaders to flourish in their roles. Creating Value in Schools is about exploring sustainable working in education, to secure better outcomes for learners and communities. 

Featured episodes and resources

• Unbound SBLs: sector support and striving for excellence with Emma Gray and Helen Burge
• Viv Grant on Creativity, Courage and Inner Wisdom
• Crisis recovery in schools: ‘it will get better’ With Paul K Ainsworth
• Enjoy what you do: hope, joy and staying power with Josephine Smith and Carl Smith 
• Find recommended reads in the Creating Value in Schools bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools
• Join the Creating Value in Schools community: https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/

00:00 Year-End Reflection

01:06 Sustained By Students

03:09 Nature And Resilience

05:28 Recovering From Crisis

07:13 Reaching Out For Support

10:25 Practising Hope

11:28 Celebrate And Rest

#Schools #Education #StaffWellbeing