In a new initiative aimed at supporting educators, EZRA, a brand under the talent company LHH, has announced the expansion of its Gift of Coaching program to provide free professional coaching to 1,000 teachers across the UK and US. Partnering with Simon Sinek, renowned author and founder of The Optimism Company, the program opens for applications on 23 October and offers three months of free coaching to educators to help them manage stress, balance work-life demands, and renew their passion for teaching.
Teachers face rising pressures in the classroom, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has left many educators struggling with staffing shortages, mental strain, and a lack of resources. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center highlights these challenges: 52% of teachers would not recommend teaching as a career for young people, and only 33% feel satisfied with their jobs, compared to 51% of US workers overall. The survey also found that 77% of teachers experience frequent stress, and 68% describe their roles as overwhelming.
Simon Sinek, who authored “Start with Why” and “The Infinite Game,” spoke on the need for more support in teaching. “We expect so much from educators in caring for our children, yet there are few resources to care for the educators themselves. If we want the best from our teachers, we must help them feel and perform at their best – that’s where coaching comes in,” he said. “Just as athletes receive coaching to reach higher performance levels, we wanted to offer similar support for those shaping the next generation.”
EZRA’s Gift of Coaching program aims to provide tailored support to K-12 teachers, teaching assistants, early childhood educators, resource teachers, and school administrators. Over the course of three months, each participant will receive one-on-one coaching sessions from ICF-certified EZRA coaches, who will guide them through a personalised programme of stress management, resilience building, and professional and personal well-being. Participants will also have access to EZRA’s AI-powered assistant, Cai, which provides additional developmental resources. The goal is to offer teachers strategies to balance their demanding workloads with personal fulfilment and to help them maintain their passion for the profession.
Nick Goldberg, CEO of EZRA, highlighted the importance of the initiative. “Many of us have had teachers who left a lasting impact on our lives,” he said. “They play a vital role in shaping society, but they’re often under-supported both in and outside the classroom. EZRA’s coaching has already helped countless organisations manage workforce stress, and we’re excited to bring this support, free of charge, to those who give so much to others.”
This initiative follows an earlier round of the Gift of Coaching program, which focused on healthcare workers. To date, EZRA has delivered over 1,500 coaching sessions through the program, with 44% of participants reporting greater resilience, 24% feeling more confident in their professional growth, and 20% feeling more positive about their work overall.
Applications are now open to eligible teachers, with Sinek and EZRA hoping this initiative will help ease the burdens many educators face daily. By addressing pressing issues such as stress and burnout, the Gift of Coaching program aims to help educators continue making meaningful contributions to society with renewed support and confidence. To learn more, please visit EZRA’s Gift of Coaching.
