Whether you or your child join one of Beyond the Classroom Australia’s programs, you will be introduced to Peta’s Pillars of Success.
Peta’s Pillars of Success is the brainchild of Ms Peta Jeppesen, a former teacher and principal who founded Beyond the Classroom in 2018 with the mission to support educators.
While her programs are built around the CASEL5 framework, the pillar system acts as a roadmap, helping educators return to centre.
Rest, Play, Create, and Innovate are the supportive tools in the system, designed to guide educators through self-care, address needs and goals, and establish actionable steps.
What does this look like in action? Let’s look at a common example:
Tessa, a teacher enrolled in Beyond the Classroom Australia’s Dare to be a Rockstar program at her school, has been feeling overwhelmed in her profession and is questioning how much longer she can continue in her career. She identifies with the “Knowing myself” category from her program survey and decides to explore her overwhelm using the pillars worksheet.
Rest: Tessa struggles to find time for rest amidst her demanding schedule. “How do people do it?!,” she wonders. She sits down, makes a to-do list, and discovers a few free hours. After spending time at her favourite beach and doing a bit of stretching, Tessa feels her energy renewed, and notices her internal monologue has shifted.
Play: During her rest period, Tessa uses journal prompts she learned in a workshop. She still feels connected to her role as a teacher and wants to inspire children, but she gains clarity around the stress of time. “Why do I keep falling behind? I don’t seem to have enough time to get everything done, and that’s where my anxiety comes from!”
Create: Tessa uncovers the source of her overwhelm: time management. She asks herself, “How am I getting in my own way?”. While she’s an organised teacher, she realises she may unknowingly be contributing to her own stress. After making a few lists, Tessa sees that she has filled her free time with multiple volunteer roles (both as a mother and a teacher). “I want to continue volunteering, but without overstretching myself.”
Innovate: Tessa reviews her schedule and obligations, rearranging things and finding that if she alternates roles with a coworker, she can free up a few hours each week at school. She hopes this change will make a difference.
A month later, Tessa checks in with the pillars again to assess how her new schedule is working and makes a few tweaks. By consistently revisiting the system, she builds a rapport with herself, feeling empowered to troubleshoot challenges and make adjustments as needed.
The pillar system fosters solution-oriented thinking, providing a step-by-step approach to interdependence. With time and consistent use, it builds confidence in a person’s ability to navigate difficult situations while deepening their self-awareness.
Peta’s Pillars of Success is a scalable system that works for all ages and is a foundational element in both her 1-1 coaching program and the Dare to be a Rockstar programs.
For more information about Peta’s Pillars of Success, visit https://beyondtheclassroomaustralia.com.au/
