TL;DR: Navigate your self-care through the 3 ships: relationships, leadership, and partnerships. Teachers are more stressed, overwhelmed, and past the point of burnout than ever before. Implementing self-care is something that needs to be done proactively and often. When I first started on my maiden voyage into education, our school had a part-time wellness coordinator. As a stipended paraprofessional, her … Read More
Post-Pandemic Mental Health: Is Stigma Staying in 2020?
TL;DR: To end the mental health stigma, we must provide space to talk about ALL mental health/mental illness without judgment. Mindfulness is only one of the many tools teachers and students can use as a way of fostering emotional regulation. We must recognize the various types of mental illness and normalize the treatment process. Since March 2020, anxiety has become … Read More
Ditching Diet Culture at School
TL;DR: Diet culture is the way a society engages with the pursuit of thinness as a way of life and a value. Diet culture shows up in classrooms through physical classroom layouts. Allowing food during class helps students meet their basic needs before they learn. Ditch diet culture at school by making flexible seating more than a fad and eliminating … Read More
Therapy for Teachers: Let’s Talk About It
TL;DR: Educators can normalize prioritizing mental health, both in crisis and as a preventative measure, by considering therapy. Zoodoc, BetterHelp, and Talkspace are resources people can use if they are considering options for therapy. My 2020 New Year’s Resolution was simple: find a therapist, and commit to going regularly. I first met with Dr. Y in January. I found her … Read More
Less Is More
TL;DR: There are gifts that can be given this holiday season to help children continue to learn and grow. Less is more when giving meaningful gifts. Gift ideas include books, outdoor activities, or various experiences to stimulate the brain and body. This year, we all need a little bit more of the holly jolly season. Get us out of 2020! … Read More