Mobilizing Positive Psychology for Teacher and Learner Wellbeing

Abstract Book of the 8th International Conference on Applied Research in Education

Year: 2026

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Mobilizing Positive Psychology for Teacher and Learner Wellbeing

Deborah Azaryad Shechter

ABSTRACT:

Prominent researchers in positive psychology emphasize that teacher wellbeing is a collective effort and must be nurtured as a shared responsibility between individuals and their institutions. I will argue that even when broader conditions are unsupportive, wellbeing in the classroom is still attainable. Teachers can prioritize their wellbeing by focusing on what they can control. I will share insights from my 40-year journey in higher education and show how positive psychology has helped me become a happy teacher. Teachers can rely on specific social and emotional competencies to nurture positive emotions and promote wellbeing in their classes. We will identify three key pillars that teachers can cultivate independently: fostering strong teacher–student relationships, enhancing teaching enjoyment, and promoting learning enjoyment. I will show how self-care, self-compassion, and psychological flexibility can support teachers in any context. Above all, when teachers embody the principles of KEEP—kindness, empathy, enthusiasm, and professionalism—they create an environment where students feel psychologically safe and pedagogically cared for. This cultivates students’ trust and respect, leading to sustained student engagement, increased teacher confidence, and resilience. This talk will empower participants to take charge of their own wellbeing and that of their students, for a long and fulfilling career. Participants will leave with practical skills and a renewed sense of empowerment to foster their own wellbeing and that of their students.

Keywords: Learning Enjoyment; Teaching Enjoyment; Positive Emotions; Teacher–Student Relationships