Building Resilience: Developing Mental Toughness in a 'Post Pandemic' World

Karen Ardley Associates are delighted to be working with COBIS to offer this new and interactive course which explores mechanisms to promote resilience.

It will take place over 2 sessions of 2h each: 17th January and 14th February 2023 08.30-10.30 UK time.

Programme Description:

Psychological resilience is the capacity to respond quickly, constructively and effectively to setbacks and crisis. Education professionals have been serving at the sharp end during the pandemic, continually shifting, adapting and adjusting their practise between on-line and face-to-face learning. For over two years, teachers, teaching assistants and school leaders have continued to educate young people across the world despite the complexities of this challenge. Many describe states of emotional disequilibrium and note that sustaining personal and professional effectiveness is demanding. They are understandably concerned with not only the mental health of colleagues and friends but also of their own.

Set amidst this backdrop of challenge, uncertainty and exhaustion, how is it that some people appear to be bouncing back much more strongly that others? What can we learn from the experiences of those who have found mechanisms to support their self-efficacy and that of others?

The KAA research-informed online workshops draw from work by Margolis and Stoltz (2010), Seligman (2011) and others who have spent a lifetime exploring how patterns of understanding the world shape people’s responses to stressful situations. Seligman (2011) notes that while sadness, emotional upset and feeling down are normal human responses to stressful situations, it is resilience which helps people avoid going under and can lead to growth. We will examine what it is that differentiates groups of people who flourish when encountering stressful situations from those who experience deep anxiety.

The workshops explore mechanisms to promote resilience which cover themes of: Control, Impact and Breadth using tools which draw on techniques of specification, visualisation and collaboration. The workshop – while not being a coaching programme – draws on coaching skills and approaches to questioning to re-frame a mindset moving from cause-orientated thinking to response-orientated thinking.

Target Audience:

All education professionals keen to explore their mental wellness, resilience and who are keen to not only support themselves but also want to work to promote mentally tough collegiality in their schools.

Additional Information:

This course will consist of a blended approach of facilitated online discussion and online self-study:

Two group facilitated online sessions.
Self-study online module which includes film, audio, case studies, interactive activities and guidance for further learning.

This course will run for 2 sessions of 2h each:
Session 1: 17th January 2023; 08.30-10.30 GMT
Session 2: 14th February 2023; 08.30-10.00 GMT

Please note, recordings will not be made available; participants will be given access to the KAA Online Learning Platform. Certificates will be issued to attendees.

Booking Process:

Delegate fees:

£175 per COBIS Member delegate
£185 per Non-Member delegate

Please book through the COBIS website – link to the event here

KAA Presenter:

Dr David Porritt is an experienced UK and International School Principal in Budapest. He is a regular programme facilitator, executive coach and leadership mentor. As director of coaching services at KAA David has facilitated several coaching programmes in schools and works directly as a coach with numerous school leaders worldwide. David’s Doctorate focuses on leadership and coaching in schools. David facilitated several cohorts of international teaching staff through the International Programme for Middle Leaders for the Council of British International Schools and has taught several Heads and principals how to facilitate their own programmes. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership & Management