Attend a Well Teacher Group

• 1. Check if you are eligible

  Any BCTF member is eligible to register for a Well Teacher Group.
  
  Participation in the Health and Wellness program or approval of your local union is not required.

• 2. Review Session Information and Expectations

  The sessions are offered after school or in the evening and have been designed to be offered virtually or in person. The Well Teacher Groups is composed of six two-hour sessions typically offered once a week:

  Session one: General Wellness A
  Session two: General Wellness B
  Session three: Physical Health
  Session four: Mental Health A
  Session five: Mental Health B
  Session six: Goal Setting Wellness Plan and Review.

  What can teachers expect who register for the group?

  • The size of the group is between 10‒15 teachers and a facilitator.
  • A variety of learning modalities including facilitator sharing, individual work and reflection, small group discussion, and large group discussion.
  • The activities include a combination of free-flowing conversation, directive discussions, and specific exercises.
  • Homework is a part of the program, but not mandatory.

  What are some of the topics covered during the sessions?

  General Wellness

  • Introduction to the group, establishing group norms and confidentiality.
  • Using the Wellness Wheel and Wellness Map to gain an understanding of your personal wellness and how to lead a more balanced life and set boundaries.
  • The goal is to develop a wellness plan by the conclusion of the group.

  Physical Health

  • Developing an understanding of three key physical health challenges faced by teachers: pain, fatigue, and ergonomics.
  • Having teachers use a log to monitor their physical health.

  Mental Health

  • Participants will review key mental health concepts, key stressors that impact teachers, and strategies to help manage these stressors.
  • Practice and review key relaxation strategies such as deep breathing and mindfulness.
  • Understand how to use tools such as Burnout Inventory and Thought Tracker to manage mental health.

• 3. Register for Upcoming Sessions

  Several groups are offered in select locals in the fall, winter, and spring each year.
  
  To register for a group in your area, please check our calendar to see a list of Well Teacher Groups currently accepting registration.