Teacher Self-Care Teacher Self-Care IT’S A BALANCING ACT!
Jan 16, 2015
Teacher Self-CareTeacher Self-CareIT’S A BALANCING ACT!
GOALSGOALS
TO PROVIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL FOLKS A
FRAMEWORK AND SOME STRATEGIES
FOR SELF-CARE
INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION
THE LIFE OF A TEACHER……
WHAT ARE ALL THE TASKS DO TEACHERS DO FOR THEIR JOB?
3
Why do teachers NOT
take care of themselves?
4
Erin GruwellErin GruwellFreedom WritersFreedom Writers
5
Jamie EscalanteJamie EscalanteStand and DeliverStand and Deliver
6
RON CLARKRON CLARKThe Ron Clark StoryThe Ron Clark Story
7
Thomas MertonThomas Merton
There is a pervasive form of contemporary violence….{and that is} activism and overwork. The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence.
To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting
concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything, is to succumb to violence
The frenzy of our activism neutralizes our work for peace. It
destroys our own inner capacity for peace. It destroys the fruitfulness of our own work, because it kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful.
8
If you are not good for yourself, how can you be good
for others?Spanish proverb
(Feldman, A World Treasury)
9
Signs and Symptoms of Needing Signs and Symptoms of Needing Self-CareSelf-Care
Body◦Continually sacrificing sleep with the illusion
you will get it all done.◦Eating foods that don’t nourish the body
Emotions- ◦Reacting emotionally to behaviors◦Overwhelmed ◦Not much joy in work
10
HOW TO BALANCE IT ALLHOW TO BALANCE IT ALL
WHERE DO YOU FIT ON THE CONTINUUM
OF SELF-CARE?
11
TOOLS YOU USE FOR SELF CARETOOLS YOU USE FOR SELF CARE
FOODSLEEPWATEREXERCISEFUN
12
BREATHEBREATHE13
DETACH DETACH DETACH DETACH DETACH DETACH
Help us to be the always hopeful gardeners of the spirit
who knows that without darkness nothing comes to birth
as without light nothing flowers
May Sarton, Journal of a Solitude
14
DetachmentDetachment
“the capacity to care deeply from an objective
place”Angeles Arrien, PhDThe Four-fold Path
15
Harrison Owen’sHarrison Owen’sFour Immutable Laws of SpiritFour Immutable Laws of Spirit
Whoever is present are the right peopleWhenever it begins is the right timeWhatever happens is the only thing that
could have happenedWhen it’s over, it’s over
16
Detachment Equals
Boundaries
17
Feel your feelingsFeel your feelingsand receive supportand receive support
Spiritually bulletproof people to make it a practice to push into their pain rather than numb themselves to their true feelings
Spiritually bulletproof people are willing to receive and are resourceful in finding the support and assistance they need
Azim Kamisa and Jillian QuinnThe Secrets of the Bulletproof Spirit
18
Courage…Authenticity Courage…Authenticity VulnerabilityVulnerability
04/10/23Free Template from www.brainybetty.com 19
Never spend time with people who don’t
respect youMaori proverb
(Feldman, a World Treasury)
20
MEDITATEMEDITATE
When we consecrate a time to listen to the still, small voices, we remember the root of inner wisdom that makes work fruitful
Wayne MullerSabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest
21
SilenceSilence
A day of silence Can be a pilgrimage in itself.
A day of silence Can help you listen
To the Soul playIts marvelous lute and drum.
Is not most talkingA crazed defense of a crumbling fort?
I thought we came hereTo surrender in Silence
To yield to Light and Happiness,To Dance within
In celebration of Love’s Victory!By Hafiz
22
Nature Calls UsNature Calls Us
We Know ourselves to be made from this earth. We Know this earth is made from our bodies. For we see ourselves, And we are nature. We are nature seeing nature. We are nature with a concept of nature. Nature weeping. Nature speaking of nature to nature.
Susan Griffin, Woman and Nature
23
BALANCE RESERVESBALANCE RESERVES
What is a Balance Reserve? The Balance Reserves are the things
we feel like we need more of in order to be at our best.
What is on your list to balance reserves?
24
Soul of Students, Soul of Teachers: Soul of Students, Soul of Teachers: Welcoming the Inner Life to SchoolWelcoming the Inner Life to School
Rachel Kessler (Schools with Spirit: Nurturing the Inner Lives of Rachel Kessler (Schools with Spirit: Nurturing the Inner Lives of Children and Teachers, Linda Lantieri editor)Children and Teachers, Linda Lantieri editor)
“We teach who we are.” “Walk your talk.” Or, as Ralph Waldo Emerson put it, “ What you are speaks so loudly that I can’t hear what you say you
are.”
25
Soul of Students, Soul of Teachers: Soul of Students, Soul of Teachers: Welcoming the Inner Life to SchoolWelcoming the Inner Life to School(Schools with Spirit: Nurturing (Schools with Spirit: Nurturing the Inner Lives of Children and Teachers, Linda Lantieri editor)the Inner Lives of Children and Teachers, Linda Lantieri editor)
Our way of being in the world of the classroom- whether we are “being peace” or “being impatience,” “being respect” or “being condescension,” being awareness’ or “being numb”- will ultimately determine how safe and open students will feel when we invite them to explore deep matters
26
HUMORHUMORGIGGLE.. CHORTLE.. GAFFAW..GIGGLE.. CHORTLE.. GAFFAW..
Blood & all major organs are fully oxygenated leaving us bursting with energy
Blood pressure drops, circulation improves and pulse rate drops Depression is lifted, even chronic depression is often cured High endorphin levels put us in a great mood and reduce any
aches & pains Immune, digestive & sexual systems that are switched off by
stress are switched on Self confidence is boosted, communication skills and creativity
are boosted Our lymphatic system is massaged and our immune systems
boosted Stress levels reduce by 75% or more and we become more stress
resistant
27
TAKING CARE OF OUR BRAINTAKING CARE OF OUR BRAIN
STRETCHSTRETCHSIX STRETCHSSIX STRETCHS
29
SummarySummary
Do the basics(sleep, eat, exercise)BreatheDetachRemember to receive and take care of
feelingsMeditate(quiet time…silence)StretchNature CallsLAUGH
30
What are you going to do What are you going to do DIFFERENTLY???DIFFERENTLY???
PLEASE THINK FOR A MOMENT
AND CONSIDER THREE STRATEGIES YOU CAN DO
WHEN YOU GET BACK TO YOUR SCHOOL?
04/10/23Free Template from www.brainybetty.com 31