At ASJ Foshan, we are always dedicated to cultivating a warm and nurturing "Well-being Learning Community."
We deeply understand that the inner well-being of educators is the very soil that nourishes our students' spiritual and emotional growth. To bring this vision to life, our Mental Health Center launched "Self-Care Week." Far more than just a routine self-care exercise, this initiative represents a vital practice within our school's SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) framework. Through this event, we aim to enhance our teachers' social-emotional competence, empowering them to pass this inner strength and love on to every child through meaningful interpersonal connections.
During the event, 34 teachers shared over 150 records of "good things," sparking a heartwarming dialogue centered on "seeing and being seen." Today, let’s dive behind the numbers and discover the secret code to happiness here at ASJ Foshan.
From Triggers to Glimmers:
A Journey of Emotional Transformation
As educators, we are so accustomed to pouring out knowledge, boundaries, and love, yet we often forget to replenish our own emotional reserves. In this event, we introduced two psychological concepts to help everyone pause and re-examine their daily lives.
Triggers are stimuli that spark specific emotional responses within us. The human brain is naturally wired with a "negativity bias"—acting like a vacuum cleaner, it easily sucks in life’s setbacks and stressors, "triggering" us and leaving us feeling exhausted.
To counter this natural instinct, we introduced its counterpart—"Glimmers." Glimmers are those tiny, everyday moments that spark an inner sense of safety, joy, and peace.
In their daily logs, we caught a beautiful glimpse of our teachers’ genuine love for life—the most vivid capture of "glimmers" imaginable:
● Connecting with Nature："Caught sight of the most breathtaking white clouds today." "It poured on my way to school this morning, but my shoes didn't get wet at all!" "During recess this afternoon, I was on duty at the football field. It wasn't raining, and the sun wasn't too harsh. Taking a stroll around the track felt so refreshing."
● Savoring Leisure Time："Had the most blissful nap at noon while listening to the rain." "Finished my classes and managed to find just enough time to hit the gym!" "After wrapping up work, I quietly organized my materials with a warm drink in hand—such a peaceful moment of pure relaxation." "Sitting on the sofa reading with my kid in the evening, each wrapped up in our own books without disturbing one another. What a beautiful reading time together."
● Savoring the Everyday："Enjoyed Guizhou dry-pot beef with colleagues today!" "Sipped on a warm cup of monk fruit tea—so cozy." "The students were so engaged in class today, everything ran smoothly, and the teaching rhythm felt just right." "Checked out the dinner menu at the school cafeteria and randomly went for the daily special. What a delightful surprise—the meat was delicious, and the fries were amazing!" "Skipped all the lines at the Food Festival because my students kept pampering me with treats! I'm completely stuffed burp... Pure happiness!"
By chronicling these 'little blessings,' teachers actively fuel themselves with the energy to keep moving forward, right in the midst of their hectic schedules.
Discovering the True Meaning of Education Through Teacher-Student Interactions
Among the 150-plus positive moments recorded, the word 'student' topped the list with 55 appearances. These 55 mentions represent 55 touching educational moments, and they mirror the cultivation of 'Relationship Skills'—a core domain of our school’s Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) framework.
● On Connections："Helped a student get his elevator pass sorted this morning so he can get around more easily." "It was so stifling hot during the school activity, and a student stepped up to fan me." "A student said to me, 'Happy 520! I love you!'" "Had a quick one-on-one check-in with every student during class. The classroom discipline was way better than usual, and getting that positive feedback made my day."
● On Growth："Students did a post-game reflection and genuinely learned from the experience." "Student A placed fifth in the all-Hong Kong competition!" "Had a deep, sincere, and highly effective conversation with a colleague about student-related issues." "The basketball game was thrilling, and it gave the students a fantastic workout." "My usually 'quick-tempered' student proactively came to me today to help regulate their emotions." "A student who had been on a long medical leave finally gathered the courage to return for their first day of class." "While handling a student issue, I suddenly had a moment of self-reflection that completely shifted my perspective."
● On Responsibility："Guided my students to successfully qualify for the World Cup." "Led students through their very first rehearsal for the capstone exhibition." "Guided students through a comprehensive breakdown of the inquiry cycle." "Assisted students to ensure a smooth and hassle-free trip back home." "Chaperoned the school bus to comfort and soothe the students." "Engaged in deep, sincere, and effective dialogue with a colleague regarding student matters."
These records reveal a profound educational truth: a teacher's sense of well-being is deeply intertwined with the growth of their students. When a teacher writes down, 'A student on long-term leave finally gathered the courage to return,' they are documenting far more than just an event—they are capturing the ultimate realization of their professional worth. By investing in the mental health of its educators, the school indirectly constructs a safer, more supportive ecosystem for students to thrive.
Why Keeping a 'Three Good Things'
Journal Boosts Your Mood
也许有人会问：仅仅是记录几件小事，真的能改变我们的情绪吗？答案是肯定的。
Psychological theories suggest that when we intentionally seek out and record positive events, we are actually training our brain’s attentional neural circuits, heightening the salience of the good things in life. Neuroscience confirms that repeating consistent, small actions can build long-term neural pathways. When you choose to focus on the positive, your brain automatically begins scanning for it—over time, perceiving happiness becomes a habit.
When we reflect on these positive experiences, the brain's reward system lights up, triggering the release of pleasure-inducing neurotransmitters like dopamine. This chemical messenger doesn't just deliver an immediate hit of happiness; it accumulates over time like bank interest, gradually building up our long-term psychological resources.
The theoretical foundation of this initiative is rooted in the PERMA model of well-being, pioneered by Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology. The teachers' daily journal entries align perfectly with this framework, crafting a thriving ecosystem of well-being tailored specifically for educators:
These five dimensions intertwine to form a vibrant tapestry across the ASJ campus. We have discovered that when a teacher's personal needs and professional demands are beautifully balanced, education transforms into a virtuous cycle of mutual nourishment.
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Lighting Up Glimmers with Glimmers
Co-creating Our Well-being Learning Community
Within the 'Well-Being Learning Community' built by ASJ Foshan, every teacher is continuously elevating their social-emotional competence. By learning to capture glimmers of light amid the mundane and practice self-care under pressure, our educators develop a more grounded inner core and a more abundant capacity to love.
May we channel this strength, drawn from self-care, into a bridge that builds deep relational connections with our students. Let us use the light within us to illuminate everyone in our community, and ultimately, to gently touch and transform the life of every child.
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