Throughout the decade I have spent working in education, I’ve seen the most positive impact when I’ve incorporated hope-based strategies into my teaching.

University training prepares educators for a lot of scenarios on the job. But what it doesn’t prepare them for is the inevitable grief that comes with it.

Royce Li knows of students who hadn’t cracked an egg before entering his Grade 11 class. “It’s shocking,” he says from Rick Hansen Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario where he teaches in the hospitality department. Students are used to meals from fast-food restaurants where products are often filled with unnecessary fats, sugars, and salt.

Kids today face numerous challenges to their mental well-being, like social media comparisons and online bullying, leaving long-term effects.

Early in your teaching career, there are many areas in which you should consider establishing boundaries. Here are three that should be at the top of your list.

Imagine an elementary school where wellness isn’t just a buzzword, but a cornerstone of student success.