Balancing Teaching and Wellbeing – Workshop for the GISA Team

This Friday, the staff of the German International School Accra took part in a joint workshop on the topic “Balancing Teaching and Wellbeing”. The mandatory workshop was organised in cooperation with “Art of Living Ghana” and “Mind Matters” and was specifically designed for teachers and pedagogical staff members.

The workshop focused on the emotional and neurological demands of the teaching profession as well as practical ways to strengthen personal resilience in a sustainable manner. The sessions were led by Ankur Agarwal, Country Director of Art of Living Ghana, and Daniela Nicol, therapist and founder of Mind Matters Ghana. Together, they combined scientific and theoretical insights on stress, self-regulation, and empathy with a wide range of practical exercises. Participants not only received valuable professional input, but also had the opportunity to experience breathing techniques, relaxation exercises, and mindfulness practices first-hand.

Particularly impactful were the accessible explanations of how the nervous system functions and how stress affects everyday school life. Topics included the importance of self-regulation before co-regulation, healthy ways of dealing with emotional strain, the prevention of compassion fatigue, and the essential role of empathy in educational settings.

A central part of the workshop consisted of practical activities such as guided breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and meditation sessions, all of which were experienced by many colleagues as highly beneficial and directly applicable to daily life. Feedback from the team was overwhelmingly positive, with participants especially appreciating the successful balance between well-founded theoretical input, personal reflection, and practical strategies for managing the challenges of school life.

The German International School Accra sees the promotion of wellbeing and mental health not as a side issue, but as an essential part of sustainable and responsible school development. After all, only a healthy, motivated, and resilient team can provide students with the long-term support and guidance they need to thrive.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Ankur Agarwal and Daniela Nicol for designing and leading such an inspiring, appreciative, and practice-oriented workshop.