Meet the Teacher: Chantelle on Mindful Teaching

In this interview, Chantelle reflects on the moments and practices that have shaped her identity as a teacher. From the influence of inspiring educators in her early years to her mindful approach to lesson preparation, Chantelle shares how she continues to cultivate meaningful connections with her students.

Thinking back on your teaching journey, what was a defining moment for your teacher identity?

Looking back, I think the biggest influence on my teacher identity was the teachers I had at school. I really admired them, and I could see the difference they made in students’ lives. I hoped to be able to do the same one day. When I got to university, I discovered a whole new side of teaching through psychology and philosophy. It opened my eyes to just how much there is to learn, and that curiosity hasn’t stopped since.

Is there a routine or technique that you use to hone a feeling of power or efficacy, i.e., what is your power pose or ritual?

I don’t exactly have a ritual before each lesson as I have been teaching a long time, and I really enjoy what I do. However, as I practise mindfulness I often take a moment to check in with myself, take a deep breath, and ready myself to meet my students. I sometimes also spend a few minutes visualising how I want a lesson to go, especially if I am using new materials.

Do you recall a moment when you felt disempowered as a teacher?

I recall a time early in my teaching career when I was quite young and teaching in secondary school. Some of the older students weren’t always as respectful as I had hoped, which was very frustrating. You want to do your job well and have students engage with you positively, so facing resistance like that can make you feel disempowered. It was a challenging experience, but it also taught me a lot about classroom management and the importance of building mutual respect.

What does teacher empowerment mean for you?

For me, teacher empowerment means having the time and space to really connect with my students and my teaching. Time to reflect on what’s working, time to understand each student’s needs, and time to respond thoughtfully, rather than just rushing through lots of material. Feeling empowered means I can teach in a way that feels meaningful, both for my students and for me.

How do you create spaces for conversation in your lessons?

I create spaces for conversation by first listening carefully to my students and showing genuine interest in what they have to say. I find it important not to dive straight into the lesson content, but to understand where they are emotionally and mentally. Starting lessons with conversation helps build this connection. I also make sure to give students time to think before expecting full answers to discussion questions, so that everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas.

To continue the conversation and hear more about creating spaces for authentic communication in the classroom, join us in the upcoming Energise your Classroom webinar series.

You can also watch Chantelle’s webinar on our YouTube channel.