Are you hopeful for a better future for educators?

Let’s talk about HOPE

Not toxic positivity.
Not “just be grateful.”
But a grounded, honest, visionary kind of hope — the kind that dares to challenge the current narrative around staff wellbeing.

Because let’s be real — the story we’ve been telling ourselves is broken.
One where burnout is normal.
Where exhaustion is worn like a badge of honour.
Where compliance trumps connection.

But what if we flipped the script?

What if…
✨ Wellbeing wasn’t just a PD topic — but a leadership priority.
✨ Staff didn’t have to earn rest — it was built into the culture.
✨ Hope wasn’t seen as fluffy — but as fuel for change.

Hope Theory, developed by psychologist C.R. Snyder, is more than wishful thinking — it’s a powerful psychological framework that can help you support both staff and students to set goals, stay motivated, and bounce back from setbacks.

At its core, hope is the belief that the future can be better — and that we have the power and pathways to make it so. There are three key parts to Hope Theory:

1. Goals – These are the meaningful outcomes we strive for. In schools, this might be lifting student engagement, improving staff culture, or supporting a struggling learner.
2. Pathways – This is our ability to come up with multiple ways to reach those goals. When one door shuts, hopeful people look for another. Leaders with high hope encourage flexible thinking and problem-solving.
3. Agency – This is the inner drive that keeps us moving. It’s the belief that we can take action, persist through challenges, and influence change — not just wait for it.

Why does this matter in schools?

•  Hope drives motivation. Staff and students with high hope are more likely to set goals, stay committed, and recover from obstacles (Snyder, 2002).
•  Hope builds resilience. In high-pressure environments like schools, hopeful thinking gives people the fuel to keep going without burning out.
•  Hope is contagious. When leaders model hope — by setting clear goals, supporting multiple strategies, and backing their team — it ripples through the culture.

This isn’t about toxic positivity or pretending everything’s fine. It’s about recognising reality and believing we can influence it.

With hope in my heart
Daniela
Founder, Teacher Wellbeing