Emily Jasmine Barnes

I am a wellbeing coach for teenagers and I know that to be a true instigator of change and a positive influence, I need to walk to the talk. I want students to recognise and celebrate what makes them unique, I want them to have unwavering faith in their own abilities, and I want them to challenge themselves and create a life they want to live. So to do that, I am dedicated to investing in myself, letting myself be truly seen through vulnerability and believing in myself enough to take risks. When I see an opportunity for change, I will grab it with both hands. Only then can I ask that of my students, because we all deserve to live abundantly and joyfully.

Schools are busy places, making it easy to focus on getting done what needs to be done, and losing sight of what really matters. I believe self care matters, and in a profession where our primary role is to put students first and prioritise the wellbeing of others, it becomes natural to many of us to put ourselves on the back burner. We can't pour from an empty glass, and the first step is realising that we have a glass that needs filling before we can give from the overflow.

Read more about me at emilybarnes.blog.