Module Introduction
Webster’s dictionary defines hope as “to expect with confidence.” This makes sense when you think of the ways we use the word hope – like when we say to our colleague, “I hope you have a nice day.” In this there is some expectation and confidence that they will indeed have a nice day.
When researchers began to dig into the concept of hope, for research, they expanded upon this. They recognized that to truly have hope you need three things. First, a wish – the wish that your colleague will have a nice day. Next, you need a belief – a belief that a nice day is possible for that person, despite the obstacles they may be facing,like a difficult meeting ahead. And finally, you need trust – trust in either your own resources or, in this case, likely the resources surrounding your colleague that will make having a nice day possible for them.
Perhaps a simplistic example, but it illustrates that hope is more than just wishful thinking – it involves a positive outlook as well as confidence born out of a realistic assessment of one’s resources and supports that can help make the wish come true.
Spark Interest
There are many sayings around hope, such as:
- Hope beyond hope
- Hope springs eternal – Alexander Pope
- Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out. – Vaclav Havel
- Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today. – Thich Nhat Hanh
- Everything that is done in the world is done by hope. – Martin Luther
- The capacity for hope is the most significant fact of life. It provides human beings with a sense of destination and the energy to get started. – Norman Cousins
Reflection
- Which of these quotes about hope resonates most for you?
- Can you connect something in your life, that you have hoped or are hoping for, with one of these quotes?
Learning Objectives
In this module we will:
- Understand the meaning of hope
- Explore how hope can support your teaching and well-being
- Investigate the various ways you can enhance hopefulness and practice hope in your life, at school and outside of work.
Module Resources
This toolkit includes additional resources, including classroom lessons and practices organized by developmental level, staff meeting activities, videos, podcasts, articles, and professional learning opportunities, as well as supporting materials for group facilitation on the topics of "Hope for Adults" and “Hope for Students”.
Individual Exploration
As teachers, our ability to inspire and motivate our students is supported by our ability to maintain our own sense of hope: hope in our own abilities to inspire learning, hope in our confidence to do a good job, and hope that all of it is going to contribute to a new generation of young people who are motivated and have the skills to make a difference in the world. Embracing hope can not only rejuvenate your passion for teaching but can also empower you to create a supportive and encouraging environment for your students.
What is Hope?
In this first segment, learn about hope, how it is defined by researchers, and how it relates to your teaching. [20:30]
Reflection
- What hopes do you have for yourself? As a teacher? In life in general?
- What do you hope for for your students? For your school? For the state of education as a whole?
Why is Hope Important for Educators?
In this next video, learn what researchers have discovered about how hope can benefit educators. [6:36]
Reflection
- What areas of your life – either teaching or outside of work – do you feel you need to harness hope for?
How to Cultivate Hope
In this final video, learn how educators can intentionally cultivate hope. [10:47]
Reflection
- What helps you hang onto hope, even in difficult times?
Links from Video
- Magic Wand (Middle school-college, but adaptable to all ages) Reflect on what you’d like to change in the world and how you can help move the world closer to this ideal. (15 minutes/1x/day)
- Best Possible Self (student version here, Middle school-college) – Write a description of the best possible life for yourself you can imagine. (15 minutes, 1x/day)
- Best Possible Self for Relationships (Adult): Build the kind of relationships you want by fostering optimism. (15 minutes, 1x/day)
- How to Get Better at Achieving Your Goals (Article) Christine Carter follows these research-backed steps to turn her good intentions into successful achievements.
- Why You Should Make Small Goals (Podcast) Comedian Paula Poundstone tries to take on a messy and daunting task, one small step at a time.
- Finding Silver Linings (Adult): Change your outlook on a negative event — and enjoy less stress. (10 minutes daily, x 3 weeks)
- Seeing the Positive Side of Things (Middle school – Adult): Students and/or staff members make a list of positive aspects of their lives, then choose a negative one and change their outlook on it. (less than 15 minutes)
- Courageously Embracing Our Mistakes (Adult): Staff members think of a mistake they recently made, reflect on what they learned from it, and celebrate their growth. (less than 15 minutes)
- Challenging Your Thoughts and Beliefs (Adult): Teachers use a list of questions to explore their thoughts, beliefs, and emotions about a difficult experience in order to gain a more positive perspective. (less than 15 minutes)
- Affirming Important Values (Adult): When your self-image takes a hit, reflect on what matters. (15 minutes)
- Life Crafting (Adult): Sharpen your sense of purpose by defining and committing to your goals. (1 hour)
- Why We Need Hopeful News: An article about why reading news stories that offer solutions and hope can make us more engaged with the news.
- Building Relationships and Trust With Staff (Adult): School leaders reflect on a set of questions to help them assess their ability to build relationships and trust with their school staff. (less than 15 minutes)
- Family Business (PreK/Lower Elementary – High School): Students and their teacher create a safe space in which students tell their stories and listen to their classmates’ stories without judgment or fear of retribution.
Module Resources
This toolkit includes additional resources, including classroom lessons and practices organized by developmental level, staff meeting activities, videos, podcasts, articles, and professional learning opportunities, as well as supporting materials for group facilitation on the topics of "Hope for Adults" and “Hope for Students”.
A worksheet that outlines a research-based process to help you set a goal for yourself that is grounded in hope.
Group Facilitation
Before facilitating groups, spend time in individual exploration in order to experience and embody the learning. And if you haven’t yet explored our introduction to SEL in California, make sure you explore those resources.
Module Resources
This toolkit includes additional resources, including classroom lessons and practices, staff meeting activities, videos, podcasts, articles, and professional learning opportunities, as well as supporting materials for group facilitation on the topics of "Hope for Adults" and “Hope for Students”.
A revisable, turnkey powerpoint slide deck to use for professional learning sessions on the topic of "Hope for Educators".
A powerpoint slide deck with welcoming and closing activities to include in professional learning sessions.
A worksheet that outlines a research-based process to help you set a goal for yourself that is grounded in build a plan around hope.
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”
Do you want to dive deeper into the science behind our GGIE practices? Enroll in one of our online courses for educators!
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