If you're in education, then you know that while there are many positives to the profession, it is also facing many challenges. From planning, to assessments, to internal and external invigilation, our work/life balance is being tipped in the wrong direction, and it can be hard to prioritise ourselves on the 'to do' list. In this context diary-keeping can help us gain insight into our wellbeing needs and move forward in our lives, both personally and professionally. This easy-to-use text offers the reader numerous pathways to help unlock the diary format, from an overview of diary keeping and why it's important for educator wellbeing, to simple pragmatic guidance to help make diary keeping a sustainable part of your practice, and plenty of practical tips, strategies, and activities for you to try out yourself. The multifaceted approach it takes - including writing, drawing and audio recordings - is not only fun and creative, but essential when it comes to understanding yourself and your own complex needs. Reimagining the Diary also contains numerous opportunities for you to reflect on your own wellbeing and how your diary can support you with getting to know what you need to flourish inside and outside the classroom. By adopting these small changes, you can start to address your wellbeing needs and rebalance your work and, more importantly, your life.
Dr Lucy Kelly is an Associate Professor in Education at the University of Bristol, primarily working with PGCE English trainee teachers. She advocates that trainee teachers see themselves as their own biggest resource in the classroom, and that they prioritise their wellbeing from the outset. Her main research interest is reflective practice as a positive tool for educator wellbeing, and she is Principal Investigator for the 'Reimagining the Diary' project, which uses a multimodal Diary Toolkit and ongoing wellbeing CPD to support educators across the country. The team have now launched a student Diary Toolkit, which is currently being tested by 250 year 12 pupils. Lucy has written numerous previous articles on educator wellbeing and reflective practice and presented her work on podcasts, at conferences and on the radio.
I loved this book. I am a committed diary keeper, but very much hope that Lucy's powerful message reaches all those whose preconceptions about what diary keeping involves might deter them from considering the practice. In her impressively referenced, research-informed, balanced and realistic consideration of how the diary can be 're-imagined', Lucy explores a wide range of strategies for using a dairy/journal/record which is bespoke and personal, aligned with our own choices and context. She offers a wealth of practical suggestions, tips and actionable guidance as to how the reader can make a diary work for them, and why it is a worthwhile use of our time and energy. Lucy explains in an entertaining, accessible and compelling way how such a record can support our reflection, help us to process our experiences and our response to them, and serve as an invaluable 'safety-valve' and source of relaxation and ease. Lucy exhorts us to prioritise ourselves and create the space for intentional reflective practice, which she believes is key to helping educational professionals find a manageable and sustainable balance in their lives. She asserts, "I want this book to help you fall in love with diary-keeping - whether that's for the first time, a second time, or a third time)." It certainly worked for me, and I am confident it will work for others. -- Jill Berry, Leadership development consultant, educational commentator and writer
