Educators Need Social-Emotional Learning, Too.

Social-Emotional Learning is the Rage

Social-emotional learning is all the rage in education. However, the focus is mainly on the children and not on the adults. Rarely is it discussed the possibilities of addressing the social-emotional needs of educators. It is time to explore how social-emotional learning for the adults can positively change the field of education. It is time to discuss that educators need social-emotional learning, too.

As a principal of a high needs school, my team and I focused on developing great social-emotional programming for our students. Our students came to us with an array of emotions, experiences, and circumstances. Consequently, we recognized that these issues affected teaching and learning. Then we took into consideration the needs of our students and began to offer services and programming as a means of support.

While providing social-emotional support to our students, we did not look deep enough into the needs of the teachers and staff members. We implemented great programs like Calm Classroom, Second Step. CHAMPS, restorative practice and peace circles. We also created a care team consisting of counselors, social workers, psychologists, teachers, assistant principal, and principal. Also, we provided professional development to the teachers in all of the programming. We became a trauma-informed school. However, now in hindsight, one component was missing. Social-emotional learning for teachers and staff should have been a priority, too. Continue reading →

Recovery and Rediscovery: Find Time for Yourself

A Season to Recover and Rediscover

Educators across the country look forward to the summer months. During this time they can unwind a bit and try to get some personal things done. So, why not look at the summer months a little differently. Look at this season for recovery, rediscovery and how to find time for yourself.

The last blog post talked about reflection, rebooting, and recharging during the summer months. Recovery and rediscovery are just another part of your process to become a healthier educator. As teachers or administrators, you know that time is a luxury. There is never enough of it! For example, you have probably made statements like these. “ I need more time in the day to do all that I need to do.” Or you have said, “I’m so busy that I don’t have time to breathe or go to the bathroom.” Then there is the statement, “ I wish that I had some time for me.” Before you know it, you are unhappy, overwhelmed and stressed by everyday life and work issues.

Do you need some free time?

Continue reading →

School’s Out for the Summer: Reflect, Refresh and Reboot!

Reflect, Refresh and Reboot

It’s June! For teachers and educators, school’s out for the summer. It’s time to reflect, refresh and reboot. For six to eight weeks, there are many possibilities and opportunities waiting for you. You have probably made a to-do list of all the things you wanted to do during the school year. However, does that to-do list include time to reflect, refresh and reboot? Teaching is a tough job! Therefore, you should be on the top of your to-do list.

Teachers, principals, and administrators look forward to the summer moments. Often, it’s usually a time to plan for the upcoming school year. It’s time to write lessons, research new strategies, take PD workshops, attend conferences or work a summer job. Most educators don’t take the time to reflect on their physical and emotional health. Are you one of those educators, who never stop thinking about the job, school or students? Well, how about taking some time this summer to reflect and plan on how to take better care of yourself. Also, plan on how to continue to stay healthy during the school year. Make wellness a top priority. Probably, you are wondering how are you going to do that?

Write It Down

First, sit down and take a load off. Reflect on how you are feeling physically and emotionally. During the school months, what were some triggers that sent your stress level to 10? Afterward, how did you handle the stressful situations? Write it down. Also, think about your daily schedule. Jot down what your daily routine looks like. For example, each morning do you wake up, get the kids ready for school, drop them off and then head to work?

After work, do you have time for yourself, or are you dropping kids off at sports practice, cooking dinner and more? Write it all down to get an idea of where your time goes. You will be surprised how much you do in one day. Finally, don’t forget about the work you bring home from the job! Write that down, too.

Kill the Stress

Once you have written down the information, review it closely. Then see where you can eliminate or delegate some of the chores, routines, or activities. Then move on to think about your stress level and triggers. Stress is unhealthy! Stress kills! So, make a plan to kill the stress! You can do it by knowing your triggers and figuring out healthy responses to the triggers. Sometimes, the trigger is a particular person or a particular time in your schedule each day.

For example, if you are scheduled for lunch duty each day and you dread it, then it will become a stressful situation. During lunch duty, the students are noisy and excited to socialize with their friends. Sometimes you feel like the lunchroom is out of control. It’s 200 of them and one of you to make sure everything runs smoothly. So, how can you change the scenario and make it better and less stressful for you? Again, teaching is a tough and complex job. Remember, your health and sanity are a priority. So, it’s okay to make important changes to make your life easier and less stressful.