Why Wellbeing Must Come First in Education
In any learning environment, wellbeing is not a bonus, it's the foundation. When students feel safe, supported, and valued, they’re better able to engage, absorb, and thrive. This is the essence of eudaimonic education: an approach grounded in human flourishing and the belief that wellbeing is essential to learning.
What Is Eudaimonic Education?
Eudaimonic education challenges traditional models by placing student wellbeing at the centre of the learning experience. For students to reach their full potential, those delivering education, teachers and school leaders, must prioritise emotional and relational safety as core to their practice.
The School Climate Shapes Learning
The emotional climate of a school directly impacts student outcomes. When students feel they belong and are emotionally secure, their cognitive and emotional energy is freed for learning. Without that foundation, engagement and achievement are compromised.
Teacher Wellbeing Comes First
To foster student wellbeing, schools must first nurture the wellbeing of their staff. Teachers are more than content deliverers, they are the main relational touchpoints for students. Their emotional state influences how they teach, connect, and support learning in the classroom.
Creating a Culture of Care
A wellbeing-focused school culture starts with the educators. When teachers are supported through mental fitness, professional development, and a sense of community, they model resilience, empathy, and healthy coping strategies, building stronger connections with students and creating space for academic and emotional growth.
A Cycle of Growth and Flourishing
Eudaimonic education promotes a powerful cycle: when educators are well, they create conditions for student wellbeing, which leads to deeper engagement and stronger learning outcomes. At its core, this model views education not just as knowledge transfer, but as a relational, emotional, and communal process.
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