In this episode, Donna speaks with Louise Ramage, a former teacher turned well-being and neurodiversity coach. Louise shares her journey from working in a challenging inner-city school in London for 17 years to transitioning into coaching, driven by her desire to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. They discuss the complexities of teaching in diverse environments, the pressures of balancing work and family life, and the importance of setting boundaries to prevent burnout.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Gaining life experience before entering teaching can provide valuable perspectives and skills that enhance the ability to connect with students and manage classroom dynamics effectively.

A strong motivation for pursuing a career in teaching is the desire to make a positive impact on students' lives, particularly in challenging environments where support is crucial.

It's essential to be aware of the signs of burnout, such as increased stress and emotional fatigue, and to seek help early to prevent reaching a critical point where recovery becomes more difficult.

Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life is vital for maintaining well-being, especially in demanding roles like teaching or coaching, where the desire to help others can lead to overcommitment.

Transitioning to coaching can provide an opportunity to continue making a difference in people's lives, particularly for those facing challenges like anxiety or neurodiversity, while also allowing for personal growth and fulfilment.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think my biggest draw was about making a difference. I really felt, for me, I could make a difference."

"29 out of 30 of them at age 11 put their hand up, that was the norm because they thought it was better to do that to protect themselves."

"I think it's essential that you put your boundaries in place from the beginning."

"If we can identify things aren't right early on, we're not gonna get to that complete point of burnout."

ABOUT THE HOST

Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades.

She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service.

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https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/

Email: Donna@lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr

This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/