The Importance of Well-being, With Sunaira Tejpar

September 18, 2023 by Professional Studies Staff

“I wanted them to focus on the idea of mental health and their own well-being as educators. We’re often putting our students first, and I think that is so fundamentally important. However, if our cup is empty, which we’ve heard a lot, it’s really hard to fill others’ cups.” —Sunaira Tejpar

In this post, Internationally Trained Teachers (ITT) instructor Sunaira Tejpar shares her efforts to promote mental health and wellness for both educators and students. As a recent recipient of the Champions of Mental Health award from Queen’s University, Sunaira’s dedication to mental health and wellness is inspirational.

Sunaira Tejpar began her work as a psychology researcher in Calgary, but her interest in exceptionalities and education brought her to the Master of Education program at Queen’s University, where she focused on kindness and confidence for students with learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Now in a PhD program, Sunaira will be understanding how those students with exceptionalities learn about their exceptionalities in a way that honours their strengths and not their deficits.

As an instructor in the ITT course The Learning Environment, Sunaira draws on this background to help teachers understand the importance of mental well-being. When the teachers she educates are fulfilled and supported, they can then better support their own students.

Supporting Students’ Well-being

“Ultimately, as an instructor, I do really feel like it’s my job to make sure that my students genuinely feel supported.” —Sunaira Tejpar

As a mental health advocate and passionate educator, Sunaira prioritizes supporting her students. She checks in with them throughout the semester, by emailing students and asking them to share their challenges, or asking how they are and reminding them that she wants them to do well.

Sunaira also recommends providing a listening ear to students who need support. Sometimes there isn’t a solution to their problem, but having a shoulder to cry on can reassure students that they aren’t alone. In the past, Sunaira has made herself available to students while they completed their practicum placements, advising them and helping them to feel supported as they learned their teaching styles.

Sunaira reminds her students that success does not always look like perfect marks. Grades are just one indicator of progress. Learning does not always follow a linear path, and trying too hard to achieve academic success can ultimately stand in the way of true learning and personal development.

Supporting Your Own Well-Being

“I do prioritize my mental health a lot, and maybe a bit too much!” —Sunaira Tejpar

Self-care is important to everyone, but especially to those in careers requiring compassion, such as education. When educators take care of themselves, they can better support their students. And although self-care looks different for everyone, fundamentally it means engaging in activities you find enjoyable and relaxing. For Sunaira, these include reading, hiking, and spending time with loved ones.

It can also look like taking a day away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, prioritizing mental well-being above all else. Simple ways to begin prioritizing your well-being can be by taking five minutes every day to do something for yourself: taking a short walk, writing in a journal, calling a loved one, or simply resting for a few minutes.

Developing self-care habits that work well takes time, but small steps can contribute to large changes.

Mental Health Resources

“I’m really big on building and providing resources for my students to build their toolbox.” —Sunaira Tejpar

As an educator, Sunaira provides her students with self-care tips and tools that they can further incorporate into their classrooms. She recommends the following resources:

Apart from being an educator, Sunaira is also the author of the children’s book I Love Myself Because. The vision for this book was to introduce powerful concepts, such as resilience, courage, and empathy, to young children. Sunaira believes that integrating these terms into children’s vocabulary may help empower them to develop self-compassion during difficult times.

Advice for Teachers

“The biggest thing is get to know your students.” —Sunaira Tejpar

Sunaira stresses the importance of taking the time to really get to know your students, even if that means taking two weeks at the beginning of September to accomplish this. Not only does this allow students to feel safe and welcomed, but it can help increase their interest in the course content.

As an educator herself, she stresses that every child needs their own champion, and as educators, we can be that champion.

Champions for Mental Health Award

“It just gives me chills to know that it’s like a tiny little difference in someone’s life.” —Sunaira Tejpar

Among her many accomplishments, Sunaira was recently awarded the 2023 Champions for Mental Health award from Queen’s University. Champions for Mental Health recognizes and celebrates instructors and staff who create learning environments where student mental health is valued and supported.

Sunaira feels honoured to have been chosen as a champion for mental health, and notes that being recognized in this way encourages her to keep going, keep looking for resources, and keep putting her students first.

Wellness in the Workplace Course

Wellness in the Workplace at Professional Studies is a 12-week online course that focuses on managing stress and practising well-being. This course is designed to help you understand and manage everyday stressors that can impact both your personal and professional life. In this course, you will have opportunities to

explore the impact of stress on overall wellness
examine and practise strategies to curb stress
gather resources for ongoing support
create an actionable wellness plan

Are you ready to invest in your own well-being? Take the first step towards a happier, healthier you, by registering for Wellness in the Workplace course now. Your path to a brighter future starts here!