Learning Objective
A job Description and Assessment of Suitability:
People imagine that teaching BALM is about baking all day, every day. Yes you will bake, but not necessarily every day and BALM is about more than just baking. This is a comprehensive questionnaire assists potential teachers in evaluating whether they would be a good fit for teaching BALM. This tool allows for self-reflection on skills, interests, and commitments, aiding in the decision-making process
Instagram is glamourous. It is a collection of the show-off moments, but the reality of teaching is that it is about communication.
Teaching BALM is about connecting people to the bread and to behavioural changes. It’s about empowering individuals to make healthier lifestyle choices, fostering a sense of community, and promoting respect for local food systems and the environment.
The job description
- Connecting People with Bread: It’s long hours and a lot of planning, and you need to be ok with standing and teaching. The act of baking and eating bread becomes a journey of connection and appreciation, understanding its roots, the process, and the ingredients. It’s about forging a deeper relationship between people and their food, illuminating the art and science behind each loaf.
- Promoting Healthy Behaviours: Teaching BALM involves guiding students to adopt healthier behaviours, from mindful eating to understanding the nutritional aspects of their meals. The goal is not only to consume bread but to do so in a way that contributes positively to overall health and well-being.
- Fostering Social Connections: BALM courses create a space for communal sharing and social bonding. Bread becomes the catalyst for new friendships and community connections, reinforcing the idea that food is a shared language and experience.
- Supporting Local Producers: BALM teachers encourage stronger community ties by educating students about the importance of locally sourced ingredients. Meeting local farmers and understanding their role in the food chain promotes appreciation for local food systems and sustainable practices.
- Empowering Personal Health Management: BALM equips students with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their diet. They learn how to control blood sugar, increase dietary fibre intake, and optimise nourishment from their meals. It’s a proactive approach to managing one’s health.
- Boosting Self-Esteem and Relationships: The act of baking, and the sharing of baked goods with others can significantly boost self-esteem. BALM teachers foster a supportive environment where students can build healthier relationships with themselves and others.
- Promoting Sustainable Practices: BALM also embodies respect for nature and the environment. It emphasizes using sustainable ingredients and encourages practices that reduce food waste and promote biodiversity.
Is it for me? Questionnaire
Deciding to upskill and add BALM to your approach is exciting, but teaching is also very much about your approach to communicating and personal motivation. So if you are wondering if BALM is something you want to teach, print this and answer honestly. The more “Yes” answers, the more likely a person might be to thrive as a BALM teacher.
| Question | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Do you have an additional source of income? It takes time to build a new business. | [ ] | [ ] |
| Do you have another skill that you could blend with Baking as Lifestyle Medicine (BALM) to make your teaching unique? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Have you previously had any experience teaching? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Do you enjoy baking, as well as all the other parts such as admin, marketing, running a small business, chatting with people, sourcing ingredients and cleaning up? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Are you organized? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Do you have enough space or somewhere to conduct baking classes? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Are you comfortable speaking in front of a group? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Do you have a basic understanding of nutrition and health? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Are you willing to continually learn and adapt your knowledge about baking and health? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Do you have the necessary resources to start a baking class (and buy equipment & ingredients)? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Are you comfortable with managing a business (marketing, finance, administration)? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Are you passionate about promoting health and well-being through baking, eating and sharing bread? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Can you commit the amount of time required to run a BALM course and support your students? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Do you have the financial capacity to support your business until it becomes profitable? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Are you open to giving and receiving feedback to improve your teaching and baking skills? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Are you comfortable with using technology for teaching and communication purposes (e.g., video calls, online platforms)? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Are you willing to dedicate time to practice and improve your baking and therefore teaching skills over a period of 2 years? – you will need to be confident in the baking side. | [ ] | [ ] |
| Are you motivated by social justice? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Does the concept of botanical blends inspire you? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Are you interested in gut health and its link to overall well-being? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Are you willing and able to build relationships in your community (e.g., with farmers)? | [ ] | [ ] |
| Are you motivated by seeing people improve their health through your teaching? | [ ] | [ ] |
You can always discuss any aspects of this with Vanessa.
