SALT as a Self-Care Tool for Teachers and Leaders

[Sadia Jafrin]

In the heart of Gopalganj, the air felt heavy as I stepped into the room of the Primary Teachers Training Institute (PTI). The faces of 42 trainee teachers greeted me, some worn, some irritated—a reflection of the news they’d just received about their school placements, which weren’t what they’d hoped for. As I looked around, I could feel the tension hanging, a cloud of frustration that I would soon attempt to dissolve.

But I was hopeful. My dear fellow Teach For Bangladesh alum, Md. Rasel Sarder, had invited me with a simple message: "Our teachers are craftsmen of the future. They should be proud of themselves."

I wholeheartedly agree. Teachers don't simply teach; they inspire. They don't impose knowledge; they unlock it. So, I sought permission to share something that has shaped my work—the SALT approach.

With a quiet prayer, I began.

The First Spark: Listening and Sharing

The session started with an invitation: peer up, share a story, listen to one another, and appreciate the person in front of you. At first, it was the female teachers who responded, slowly engaging in conversation. One by one, they opened up, their words flowing more freely as they shared and listened. I joined a lone teacher, and our exchange was filled with laughter and warmth. We became friends in an instant—her kindness and passion radiated through every word.

But across the room, I felt the resistance from the male teachers. Their body language screamed indifference, and frustration bubbled within me. I wanted them to feel the magic that comes when we connect deeply, but they were holding back.

Still, I held onto hope.

A Glimmer of Change

When the women shared their stories, the air shifted. One teacher said, "We’re so busy in our daily lives that we never get time to care for ourselves. SALT feels like self-care." Her words touched something deep within me—a reminder that teaching begins with nourishing ourselves first.

Then, I joked lightly: "Male teachers are naughty, just like their students."

Suddenly, a hand shot up. A male teacher, Parvez bhai, asked if he could share. His voice carried the weight of unsaid things. “We men are rough, we bond over smoking, over jokes. But we never share what’s in our hearts. Today, for the first time, I did. I donate blood regularly, and I’m proud of that.”

The room fell silent for a beat, then applause erupted. Parvez bhai’s vulnerability had melted the last layer of resistance. He had opened up, and in doing so, he created a ripple of connection that washed over the entire room.

The Magic of Transformation

In that moment, the invisible barriers fell away, and we became something more than just a group of trainee teachers. We became a community bound by shared stories and new understanding. No one had known Parvez bhai’s story before that day, but now, we all did.

As we wrapped up, we made an oath together: to inspire our students, to see teaching not just as a profession, but as a noble responsibility. The room felt lighter. The frustration, the irritation—gone. In their place, hope, and a collective promise to be invested in the future we are shaping.

That day, I left PTI Gopalganj with a full heart, reminded once again of the magic that happens when we truly listen, share, and appreciate each other. The magic of SALT.

In the simplest of words, we are not just teachers. We are the ones who spark the flame of learning. And sometimes, all it takes is a story to remind us of that power and pride.

[Shahrukh Atpade]

What a beautiful testament to the power of storytelling and connection! It’s inspiring to see how you transformed a tense situation into a nurturing environment.

[Mithun Das Kabbo]

Keep inspiring us with your amazing writing! 

[Sadia Jafrin]

Thank you so much, Rituu, for your kind words. I also believe it's a self-care process as well.

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Powerful reflections from the teachers. Thanks a lot for the blog, Sadia. 

I recall facilitating a year long leadership building initiative in which a participant throughout the year said that SALT helped in his well being because he had started listening to himself. 

[Sadia Jafrin]

Thank you very much Mithun for your kind words. 

[Mithun Das Kabbo]

At SALT, we need to place greater emphasis on ensuring that teachers adopt a soft-spoken approach, prioritizing listening more in their interactions. Sadly, many teachers tend to do the opposite, and this shift is essential for fostering a better learning environment.

Thanks, apu for this amazing blog post. Your dedication to fostering SALT is deeply appreciated.