Happy holidays! During this episode, we talk about self-care practices that are particularly important during the often stressful holiday season. (3:00) What's filling our buckets? (6:45) We talk about what makes the holidays stressful and why self-care is extra important at this time of year. (14:00) We walk through seven self-care practices for the holiday season. (37:15) Takeaways.

This week, we talk about how our energy can be drained by burdens we're carrying that we're unable to control or influence — and what we can do about it! (1:30) What's filling our buckets? (4:30) Introduction to the "spheres of control" concept and how it relates to our resilience. (7:15) We walk through a process that you can use to reflect on your stressors/complaints/concerns and figure out how to use your energy where it counts. (12:30) We share stories of how the "spheres of control" concept has been relevant to our own resilience. (21:30) Takeaways.

Tools we talk about: 'Focus Your Energy' poster, Elena Aguilar's article

This week, we welcome our very first guest, Nicole Woodward. Nicole visited to discuss SCRED's theme for the year, Grace. Grit. Growth. We unpack what each of those words mean and how we can "live it" and weather the storm during a challenging school year. (1:30) What's filling our buckets? (4:30) What does it mean to have a theme for the year? What's the purpose? (6:45) We talk Grace. (16:05) We talk Grit. (28:00) We talk Growth. (34:15) Takeaways.

This week, we talk about how to cultivate emotional resilience by listening to the stories we're telling ourselves and learning to "talk back" and reframe unkind or unhelpful ones. (1:15) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (2:45) We talk about Elena Aguilar's book 'Onward' and what advice she shared about emotional resilience for educators. (6:45) What do the stories we tell ourselves have to do with "mindfulness"? (9:15) We talk about how our interpretations of events increase or decrease our resilience. (11:00) We explain several types of unhelpful stories to watch out for. (15:00) We offer four kinds of "talk back" questions that we can use when we're telling ourselves a negative story. (16:45) Takeaways.

Tools we talk about: Poster—Questions for Challenging Negative Thoughts

Taking a few deep breaths or counting to 10 can help us pump the breaks on our stress temporarily, but the tornado of angry or anxious thoughts in our heads is going to hit the gas pedal again unless we can "get it out." This week, Ry, Courtney, and Nic talk about how to hit that pressure release and experience the relief that comes with saying or writing down what you're thinking and feeling. (1:15) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (3:45) Intro. to topic. (7:30) "Name it to tame it" with the Mood Meter app. (13:00) "Talking it out" with a caring listener. (18:00) "Writing it out" with a journal or notes app. (19:30) Takeaways.

Tools we talk about: Mood Meter app, "Name It to Tame It" page on SEL website, Crisis talk/text services + local mental health providers

Stress is hard on the body (e.g., tense shoulders, heart speeding up, etc.) and to help us manage it, we need habits we can stick to. In this episode, we explain five ideas, and we recommend you start with one. (2:30) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (4:15) We explain our five tips. (20:30) Takeaways.

Tools we talk about: 'Calm Your Body' page on SEL website

We kick off a series of episodes focused on educators’ self-care, wellbeing, and resilience. (2:30) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (4:30) We talk about stress and validate what educators are experiencing right now: “I’m drowning” makes sense when you’re stretched thin, routines are constantly upended, and your body is soaked in stress hormones. (15:15) We talk about the “wellness wheel” that helps educators to prioritize where they need to change their self-care habits. (28:00) Takeaways.

Tools we talk about: Wellness Wheel Reflection Tools, Educator Self-Care page on SEL website

We conclude a two-part conversation about what SEL is. During this episode, Ry, Nic, and Courtney cover a lot of ground and review all of the essential practices that schools can focus on to support Social Emotional Learning. (1:30) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (3:45) Brief recap of "the why." (6:15) Overview of the "six buckets" of SEL practices. (9:00) Bucket #1: SEL Instruction. (14:45) Bucket #2: Supportive Classroom and School Climates. (23:00) Bucket #3: Supportive Discipline. (29:30) Bucket #4: A Continuum of Integrated Supports. (34:00) Bucket #5: Educator SEL. (35:45) Bucket #6: Stakeholder Partnerships. (39:00) Takeaways.

Tools we talk about: Universal SEL Toolkit

This week, we begin a two-part conversation about what Social Emotional Learning is. During this episode, the team focuses on how SEL practices are designed to benefit students and adults. (2:00) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (3:45) We discuss the research on how SEL benefits students and adults. (14:30) We explain each of the five SEL competency areas. (26:00) Takeaways.

Tools we talk about: Cross-District SEL Website (Home Page)

We talk shop about rituals and routines that adult teams can use (during meetings or trainings) to support mental and emotional engagement. (3:00) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (5:00) Introducing the 3 signature practices and the Playbook resource we discuss during the podcast. (10:45) Welcoming inclusion activities. (14:30) Engaging strategies. (19:30) Optimistic closure. (21:00) Takeaways.

Tools we talk about: 3 Signature Practices Playbook (Page 56), Icebreaker/Community-Building Questions