TL;DR: It may be difficult to keep up the energy that inspired us at the beginning of the new year for our resolutions. Consider using the Wellness Wheel. It is a great visual tool to assess 8 dimensions of wellness. The goal is to discover which parts are active and which parts need more focused attention. Let’s check in on … Read More
Inspiring Cultures of Wellness in Schools
TL;DR: Teacher burnout is a systemic problem. We need to reimagine systems where teachers and their wellness are prioritized. Create cultures of wellness at school. Consider forming a wellness committee that includes admin and teachers as well as other staff members. Prioritize Teachers I don’t need to tell you that the problem of teacher burnout is systemic. Through no fault … Read More
5 Radical Self-Care Lessons for Educators
TL;DR: Burnout is not “this is just how it is.” We need to prioritize our own wellness. Self-care isn’t selfish and it’s not about temporary relief. You must put the work in to maintain boundaries and demonstrate self-care. Set office hours for yourself. Embed wellness routines into your classroom to model self-care for students too. Burnout Six years ago, I … Read More
Moving From Self-Care to Collective Care
TL;DR: While self-care is important, it has become a way of shifting the responsibility, whilst putting more work on the shoulders of already overwhelmed educators. Mutual aid is collective coordination to meet each other’s needs. Collective care removes the responsibility from the shoulders of individual teachers and shifts the onus to the school, district, and educators as a collective group. … Read More
The Best of Teach Better 2022
TL;DR: The Teach Better Conference lit the transformational fires of the people who attended. Community is critical in affirming our ‘why,’ instigating collaboration, and inspiring us to celebrate all the ways we show up for students whether we are in classrooms, district offices, or running our own teacher-focused business. Teach Better 22 was inclusive not just by celebrating those with … Read More