Erasmus+ teacher training course

Teacher Wellbeing and Emotional Balance: Thriving in Education

Illustration representing learning, participation and relationships in education

How can educators protect their energy without lowering their care for others?

Practical habits for resilience, balance and meaningful work in education.

Target group: Teachers, adult educators, trainers, school staff and other education professionals from all educational levels.

Activity type
Physical mobility
Duration
1 week
Language
English
Equipment
No special equipment required

Sustainable Wellbeing and Emotional Balance for Educators

Educators work in environments shaped by responsibility, emotional demands, changing expectations and limited time. Wellbeing cannot be reduced to individual resilience or the expectation that teachers should simply manage greater pressure more efficiently. This course creates space to examine both personal practices and the professional conditions that influence energy, connection and sustainable work.

Participants explore stress patterns, emotional regulation, boundaries, recovery, relationships and the role of meaning in professional life. Reflective activities help them identify what restores or drains their resources and distinguish between changes they can make personally, matters that require collective discussion and problems that need organisational support. Activities are practical and non-therapeutic, with respect for privacy and individual choice.

Before returning to work, each participant prepares a realistic wellbeing plan centred on selected boundaries, support structures and recovery practices rather than an unrealistic attempt to change every aspect of professional life at once.

International education professionals participating in a classroom session
Practical learning, professional reflection and international exchange.

What You Will Learn

Outcome 1

Understand key concepts and current perspectives

Explain the main ideas, opportunities and limitations connected to teacher wellbeing, emotional balance and sustainable professional practice.

Outcome 2

Analyse professional practice

Identify strengths, barriers and development priorities in relation to teacher wellbeing, emotional balance and sustainable professional practice in a real educational context.

Outcome 3

Use practical tools and methods

Apply stress mapping, reflective tools and personal action planning through guided activities, collaborative tasks and structured reflection.

Outcome 4

Design an adaptable learning response

Create a classroom, team or organisational activity that can be adapted to participants’ own learners and setting.

Goal

Support sustainable practice

Plan realistic next steps that protect wellbeing, inclusion and appropriate professional boundaries.


Course Schedule

Day 1Experience, context and shared language

Welcome, needs mapping and course compass

Participants introduce their contexts, identify their goals and map current experiences connected to teacher wellbeing, emotional balance and sustainable professional practice.

Shared vocabulary and key questions

Participants build a common language through short inputs, pair dialogue and a visual question wall.

Practice snapshot

Participants analyse a short case or example and identify what they would keep, question or change.

Day 2Methods, evidence and personal reflection

Method gallery

Participants rotate through concise examples, models and tools connected to teacher wellbeing, emotional balance and sustainable professional practice, recording practical possibilities.

Guided skill lab

Participants practise stress mapping, reflective tools and personal action planning in small groups with trainer guidance and structured prompts.

Reflection and transfer notes

Participants capture what feels relevant, challenging or adaptable for their own learners and setting.

Day 3Practice, creativity and participation

Collaborative challenge

Small international groups work on an authentic challenge and apply selected tools in a purposeful task.

Create, test and revise

Participants develop a short activity, resource or approach, then improve it through testing and feedback.

Learning dialogue

Participants discuss different educational contexts and identify adaptations that make the work more realistic.

Day 4Inclusion, care and ethical boundaries

Case clinic

Participants examine a complex scenario, identify assumptions and consider inclusive, responsible responses.

Perspective exchange

Participants use structured dialogue to explore different learner, colleague and community perspectives.

Practical safeguards

Participants identify boundaries, risks and support strategies relevant to teacher wellbeing, emotional balance and sustainable professional practice.

Day 5Design studio and peer feedback

Design your own application

Participants create a classroom, team or organisational plan using stress mapping, reflective tools and personal action planning.

Peer feedback studio

Participants share work-in-progress, ask focused questions and receive practical feedback from colleagues.

Improve for implementation

Participants revise their design for feasibility, inclusion and clear evidence of learning.

Day 6Course Closure & Cultural Activities

  • Reflecting on learning outcomes and key takeaways
  • Awarding of Certificates of Attendance
  • Cultural excursion and local heritage experience
  • Informal networking and exchange of best practices

Recommended Reading and Theoretical Influences

  • World Health Organization (2022). World Mental Health Report.
  • OECD (2021). Teachers Getting the Best out of Their Students.
  • Seligman, M. (2011). Flourish.
  • Huppert, F. & So, T. (2013). Flourishing Across Europe.

Evaluation, Recognition and Practical Information

Learning is supported throughout the week through participation, reflection, practical activities and constructive feedback.

Evaluation of Learning Outcomes

Format
Continuous assessment based on class participation, practical work and self-assessment.
Criteria
Active participation in discussions, reflection, collaborative activities and practical course tasks.
Procedures
Trainer observation, participant reflection, feedback and attendance.

Recognition of Learning Outcomes

Conditions
Attendance at a minimum of 80% of the course and active participation in the learning activities.
Recognition
Learning outcomes are recognised through participant reflection, trainer feedback and completion of the course activities.
Documentation
A Certificate of Attendance documenting the course title, dates, venue and learning outcomes.

Practical, Collaborative and Learner-Centred

The course combines hands-on workshops, real-world examples, simulations, guided reflection and collaborative activities. Participants exchange good practices, work in international groups and develop ideas that can be adapted to their own professional context.

Optional cultural, social and networking activities support local engagement, intercultural learning and professional collaboration.

Practical Details

Duration

One week, normally comprising 25 academic hours.

Weekly Schedule

Classes take place from Monday to Friday, in the morning or afternoon. Saturday is reserved for cultural activities.

Final Timetable

The detailed timetable will be sent at least two weeks before the beginning of the course.

Preparation

No special preparation is required unless stated in the course programme. Any required materials or equipment will be communicated before the course.

Certification

Participants who meet the attendance requirements receive a Certificate of Attendance.

Alternative arrangements: Other course durations and schedules may be arranged on request.

Erasmus+ funding: Course fees and mobility costs may be supported through an eligible sending organisation's Erasmus+ grant. Eligibility and final funding decisions remain with the beneficiary organisation and its National Agency. Read our Erasmus+ KA1 funding guide.

Administrative support: Understanding Academy provides course programmes, learning outcomes, registration documentation and certificates. Participants and sending organisations remain responsible for transport, accommodation and grant management.

Plan your Erasmus+ mobility

Ready to Join This Course?

Check the upcoming confirmed dates or register your interest. We will contact you with information about availability and the next steps.

Need funding information? Read our Erasmus+ KA1 funding guide.