what is sustainable teaching?
The theory of sustainable teaching was created by teachers, for teachers, in 2017. The original definition was grounded in a teacher inquiry study, which they carried out collaboratively in their respective classrooms over the course of two years.
The definition continues to evolve with the ever-changing context of teaching. You can download the latest version here.
The definition continues to evolve with the ever-changing context of teaching. You can download the latest version here.
Sustainable teaching is the process of fostering
self-compassion, healing, and renewal in educators
who support the growth and development of students in turn.
Sustainable teaching puts educators first
with the goal of creating an inclusive, collaborative community.
Animated by a commitment to hope, educational justice, and advocacy,
sustainable teaching offers an integrated approach to education
where all participants can thrive.
self-compassion, healing, and renewal in educators
who support the growth and development of students in turn.
Sustainable teaching puts educators first
with the goal of creating an inclusive, collaborative community.
Animated by a commitment to hope, educational justice, and advocacy,
sustainable teaching offers an integrated approach to education
where all participants can thrive.
The behaviors of sustainable teaching include:
- Acknowledging and embracing our own vulnerability
- Recognizing limits and stressors, then setting boundaries so that we can attend to our bodies and maintain our emotional well-being as we work for social change
- Developing a repertoire of mindfulness practices and actually using them to build personal resilience and professional longevity
- Cultivating self-compassion and a gracious mindset toward others
- Creating and protecting space for joy, play, creativity, and self-tending
- Creating and actively participating in support systems for personal and professional growth
- Uniting as advocates to critique and dismantle inequitable systems, promote equity for all educators and learners, and heed the call toward educational justice
- Building relationships with allies who will advocate on our behalf and help us locate and leverage resources to enable our career longevity
- Modeling for all stakeholders, including our students, how to live and work sustainably
For details on how and why to practice sustainable teaching, visit these pages
to find hands-on sustainable teaching resources, and teacher testimonials.
to find hands-on sustainable teaching resources, and teacher testimonials.