When UK pop-stars the Spice Girls encouraged 'every boy and every girl' to 'spice up their life' the global response was resounding, and the song was an instant chart topper, because? You guessed it, people desire to spice up their life!
Why is that? It’s in the neuroscience. Studies have proven that the human brain needs stimulation and novelty to nurture its plasticity and flexibility. This in turn optimises potential, staves off depression and releases healthy levels of dopamine1.
One such way to take responsibility for your brain health is avoiding boredom and stagnation in your work life. This can be achieved through seeking new challenges, staying curious in your role and taking steps to add that 'spice' to your life.
Yvette Wehlow has made a career out of exercising such opportunities, keeping herself fresh, engaged and cognitively super-charged in her teaching.
Graduating from the University of the Sunshine Coast, the young teacher first challenged herself by applying for a rural and remote posting, gaining a position in Mount Isa.
'I decided to take a rural and remote position to help with gaining permanency in the department' she said.
'When I first moved, I definitely intended to complete the three years of service, and then come home. [However] I kept extending my tenure, met my partner and my family realised I was never coming back.'
After three years in the classroom, with the coaching of a master teacher and the support of her principal at Barkly Highway State School, Yvette decided to chase a head of department opportunity.
'I'd only been working for 3.5 years and I actually applied just for the interview experience' she said.
'When my principal told me I'd won the position I was so surprised. I don’t think I would have been considered if I wasn’t in Mount Isa.'
Stepping out of the classroom as head of department (HOD), mentoring other teachers and gaining the additional administrative skills of leadership proved an exciting challenge for Yvette as she continued to stretch her own potential.
'When I first stepped into the HOD role, I didn’t see myself as a leader' she said,
However, I had so much access to professional development opportunities such as the Centre for Learning and Wellbeing, speakers and presenters doing workshops in Townsville, the associate leader’s network and more, it was invaluable.'
Never one to get stale in her position, after four years as a HOD, Yvette again was seeking to spice up her life, and approached her principal to discuss options.
'I was missing the connection with the students and the hands-on teaching' she said.
'I do like working with teachers in that mentoring role and being part of the leadership team, but I also wanted to be in the classroom.'
'I spoke with my principal and fortunately, we had a situation where a job-share position arose, and I could split my role between the HOD and the classroom.'
'I am feeling much more inspired and motivated. I love being back in the classroom; my leadership role has taught me a lot that I could implement in my teaching and I’m still learning.'
At the Queensland Department of Education, we have a strong commitment to flexible working arrangements and supporting teachers to cultivate a career path that continues to engage their talents and energise their passions within the industry.
More information is available about
how to spice up your life with a rural and remote posting, or if you wish to discuss flexible working opportunities.
1 Smyth, B, 2019, Bored At Work? The Science Behind It And How To Break Free, Skillpath,
https://skillpath.com/blog/bored-at-work-the-science-behind-it-and-how-to-break-free