Teachers Who Thrive

Implicit Biases are inherent attributes all humans possess and form naturally through the course of everyday interactions and exposure to media.  But biases can be harmful.  These biases can contradict our personal values and beliefs.  Simply being aware of bias is not enough...but it's a start.  Check your biases at https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html

Try some of the interventions to debias that I describe in the podcast.  

https://medicine.yale.edu/childstudy/zigler/publications/Preschool%20Implicit%20Bias%20Policy%20Brief_final_9_26_276766_5379_v1.pdf

We're all dealing with a lot of emotions and feelings around George Floyd's death.  I live in St. Paul...right next to Minneapolis...so this tragedy has definitely sickened me.  The sadness and anger that I feel though is nothing compared to what people of color are feeling or have to deal with everyday.  Even though I am a white woman, I didn't want to remain silent about racial equity, police brutality or the work we have to do in regards to the achievement gap.  But I thought the best way to use my voice right now is to share my story and hopefully bring some awareness to other white educators that maybe haven't had to think about race.  I believe we are all impacted by the inequities and ultimately we cannot thrive as teachers if we don't examine our own biases and our own racial identity.  This is my attempt as telling my story.  

Here are some resources that I've used that have helped me along my journey.

https://courageousconversation.com/

https://www.educolor.org/

https://www.ted.com/talks/mellody_hobson_color_blind_or_color_brave/discussion

https://robindiangelo.com/resources/

Other books that I would recommend: 

Courageous Conversations by Glenn Singleton

 Between the World and Me by Te-Nehisi Coates

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

Why are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Daniel Tatum

Can We Talk About Race by Beverly Daniel Tatum

Everyday Anti-Racism

White Like Me by Tim Wise

As teachers we know how beneficial play is for our students.  This episode will explore why play is so important for educators as well.  It can build resilience by giving us energy, helping us become more productive and reinvigorating our love for teaching.

Teaching from home is hard.  It's hard to separate work time from home time.  And I know you feel like you're working all day!  Listen to hear some tips to help you create some boundaries and schedules so you can thrive and not feel burnt out.  

I’ve been gone.  I had to take a few weeks off just to wrap my mind around everything that is changing.  Teaching virtually.  Working from home.  All the due process paperwork that needed to be completed.  Connecting with all my families took so much energy.  I felt like I was working from sunup to sundown.I know you feel the same.  I know you are doing your best.  We care so much and it shows.  I work with the most dedicated colleagues that all want what is best for our families and students.  We lead with our heart.  We work tirelessly with compassion in our hearts.  But it’s hard.  It’s overwhelming.  We are exhausted.  We miss our students.  We miss our classrooms.  I know how hard you are working.  I see it in all of my colleagues.  I see it on facebook in groups.  I see it everywhere in our community. 

 Last time I recorded a podcast I talked of compassion.  I talked about how important it is to consider everyone is doing the best they can  based on their own knowledge and skills and experiences.  I talked about how beneficial compassion is for you physically and mentally and how it changes in your body.  We also talked about self compassion.  We are not alone. 

Today I'm talking about compassion fatigue.

 Listen in to learn about compassion fatigue and how a type of meditation called compassion meditation has shown to improve measures of burnout and increase measures of emotional wellness is a short amount of time.

Now more than ever we need to be intentional about building compassion.  That includes compassion for administrators and district staff, teachers, other educators, families, students and yes, even yourself.  Compassion is good for your soul as well as your body.  Compassion helps us remember that we are not alone.  

The book, Onward by Elena Aguilar, was an outstanding resource for this podcast episode.  

Also referenced, Resilience:  Why Things Bounce Back by Andrew Zolli

Make sure to check out my facebook page, Teachers Who Thrive

Listen in to hear my top tips on coping with all the craziness that is going on right now as teachers.  They include mindset shifts, changing our thoughts, feeling ALL the feelings, our circle of influence, challenge yourself and slow down!

Thank you so much for responding to my survey.  I know how hard your job is.  I know you love your students and want to do your best.  I see your challenges.  I see how hard it can be to see the difference you're making.  Just know, you are.  You are making a difference every single day, every single moment.  I believe that.  And I believe in you.  Based on the responses I got you love teaching, you love the a-ha moments, you love watching children learn and grow, you love the challenge.  So, take a deep breath and tell yourself you're doing awesome, remind yourself why you love teaching and make this week great.  

Here is a link to an enneagram test!  Let me know what you're number is!  Are you a 9 like me?

Here is a link the survey that I talked about in this episode.

Gratitude is a natural antidepressant.  The benefits of gratitude are endless and it's something you can practice in just minutes a day.  Listen to hear all the benefits of practicing gratitude and some easy ideas for your classroom to express gratitude towards others.  Also some ideas on how to intentionally engage in self appreciation.

In this episode we'll talk about how negativity can creep into the classroom and take the focus off of the students.  Simple tips and strategies will be explored to help bring your energy back to positivity and how to start your day off on the right foot.