For Teachers: Staying Calm Amidst Chaos
These days, I feel like the air is silently buzzing – full of angst, worry, and fear. These are trying times for all, ages 0-100+.
COVID-19: Resilient
Educator Toolkit
MORE RESILIENT TOGETHER THROUGH THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
The trauma of the present COVID-19 pandemic has hit teachers hard and is further compounded with school closures happening across the country and the world. Now, more than ever, the focus to provide additional resources for teachers – and to expand those resources to include students, parents, and families for widespread adoption – is essential.
The COVID-19: Resilient Educator Toolkit equips teachers with actionable strategies and advice to use immediately for themselves and in working with and supporting children, parents, and families during these difficult times. Amidst chaos and through adversity, these rich teacher wellness and self-care resources can support and nurture teachers to become more resilient together.
Stay Calm
Family Tip Sheet: 5 Pathways to Family Calmness
Why do we need calming strategies? Overall wellbeing takes into account your mental and physical states. In trying times, our personal sense of balance can
Student Activity: Calming Cards and Calming Catcher
Sometimes in life, when you are stressed or frustrated, you might need a little reminder about how to calm yourself.. in your back pocket! Find
Be Informed
For Teachers: Practicing Mindful News Literacy
You probably have watched, read, and heard more news in the past two weeks than you have in the past few months. Half of US
Family Tip Sheet: Being Mindful About News and Media Habits
Right now, in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, you may have orders to shelter in place, and your children’s school was likely closed. You’re
Student Activity: Be a Journalist
DIRECTIONS – Part 1 – Observe & Interview You are going to be a journalist and write a news story about a day in the
Self Care
For Teachers: Building Resilience Starts with Self-Care
“Should the cabin lose pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the overhead area. Please place the mask over your own mouth and nose before assisting
Family Tip Sheet: Self-Care for Your Family
In a time where there are a lot of unknowns, and when feelings of stress and uncertainty can interfere with our daily routines, there is
Student Activity: Taking Care of “Self”
DIRECTIONS In each section, draw or write a way in which you take care of your mind, body, and heart. Use a brad to fasten
Stay Healthy
For Teachers: Building Resilience Through a Strong Mind-Body Connection
If there has ever been a time to evaluate your health, now would be it! Staying healthy and building a strong immune system is the
Family Tip Sheet: Stress Busters
Stress can do a number to our bodies and can decrease our body’s ability to fight off becoming sick by weakening our immune systems. Stress
Student Activity: Mind-Body Connector
We can start to recognize our feelings and our emotions by feeling them in our body. Can you identify where you feel certain emotions? DIRECTIONS
Create A Plan
For Teachers: The Reassurance of Routines
Much of our anxiety these days comes from the unknown. A recent Harvard Business Review article, “That Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief,” highlights the work
Family Tip Sheet: The Ritual of Routine
Routines provide predictability, a sense of boundaries, and reassurance. And whether it is work or for school, we all know that a sense of routine
Student Activity: Ready, Set, Routine!
DIRECTIONS – Part 1 – Log Your Routine In order to create a well-balanced daily schedule, it is a good idea to first reflect on
Maintain Balance
For Teachers: Maintaining Balance in Time of Uncertainty
In the iconic 1980’s film Karate Kid, Mr. Miyagi took young Daniel under his wing to train him in karate. Daniel eventually learned that karate
Family Tip Sheet: Balancing Life Through Uncertain Situations
When we feel stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed, we may say that our life is “out of balance.” And considering the drastic changes we’ve all faced
Student Activity: Balancing My Responsibilities vs Activities
DIRECTIONS – Part 1 In the My Responsibilities section in the diagram, write your duties: the things that you must do and are responsible for
Stay Motivated
For Teachers: How to Stay Motivated During Tough Times
I often lament the conundrum that when I have nothing to do, it is super hard to get anything done… Raise your hand if you’ve
Family Tip Sheet: I Think I Can, I Think I Can.. Stay Motivated!
You may find that your family members are suffering from a lack of motivation over the past few weeks. Motivation is often impacted by the
Student Activity: The Game of Life
Life can have many ups and downs. In order to stay motivated, it helps to set some long-term goals, and then figure out the short-term
Think Positively
For Teachers: I Know It’s Hard … but Stay Positive
Back in my 20s, I read The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. This book changed me. When I was 19, my dad
Family Tip Sheet: Keeping You and Your Family Positive
During hard times and times of trouble, thinking positively might seem impossible. Life is no longer the same for you and your family, and it
Student Activity: My Positive Pledge
DIRECTIONS Think of all the things that keep you positive. Fill in your My Positive Pledge below. Print it out and post it in a
Embrace Change
For Teachers: Embrace Life’s Change With Resiliency
There are a few things in life that are certain: paying taxes and change. You can’t escape change (or taxes) no matter how hard you
Family Tip Sheet: Embracing Change Together
How can change be powerful? Kids do it every day without any thought. They are constantly changing. Their bodies, their attitudes, their abilities, and their
Student Activity: My Superpowers
DIRECTIONS – Part 1 Life is full of changes, some big and some small. Can you think of a big change that has happened to
Move Forward
For Teachers: One Step At A Time
In life, I often find myself turning to popular media, literature, or movies for a balance of inspiration and reassurance. Whenever my sister or I
Family Tip Sheet: Helping Your Family Get Unstuck
Why is it important to keep moving forward? One of life’s biggest lessons is mastering the art of moving forward. Yet, it’s one of life’s
Student Activity: Reach for the Stars!
DIRECTIONS Have you ever wished upon a star? Starlight, star bright,First star I see tonight… Sometimes you might wish for things to happen, but you
Resource Roundups
Teacher Wellbeing
Teacher wellbeing is a crucial element of overall school health. Educators often experience significant amounts of pressure and stress and don’t have the proper tools or mindset to overcome these challenges. We have the right resources for educators to find that healthy work-life balance and live happy and productive lives inside and outside of the classroom.
Trauma-Informed Practices in School
Many of the challenging behaviors seen inside classrooms stem from stress or trauma in students’ lives outside of school. Trauma, both physical and emotional, can alter a young person’s brain functions, which impacts learning and behavior. Students don’t need to stumble through emotional minefields. Let’s give them a map using trauma-informed tools.
Technology Integration
Technology is increasingly becoming an important topic these days, especially for online learning. Here's a guide for teachers and leaders to choose the best strategies of integrating technology for the on-campus and online classroom. Learn about evaluating an LMS platform, assistive technology, strategies and more. Instead of fearing technology, learn to maximize it.
Resilient Readings
Here’s our handpicked, curated selection of book titles that support and develop resilience. For your students, check out our Mini-Library of Resilience-Building Books for Children and Young Adults. And don’t forget to share the list with your fellow teachers, students, parents, and anyone else who may benefit from these great readings!
The Art of Resilience
Carol Osborn
The Art of Resilience
Carol Osborn
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Yoga: Awakening the Inner Body
Donald Moyer
Yoga: Awakening the Inner Body
Donald Moyer
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Walking: One Step At A Time
Erling Kagge
Walking: One Step At A Time
Erling Kagge
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Trick Mirror
Jia Tolentino
Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion
Jia Tolentino
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Rising Strong
Brené Brown
Rising Strong
Brené Brown
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Ego is the Enemy
Ryan Holiday
Ego is the Enemy
Ryan Holiday
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The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
John Mark Comer
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World
John Mark Comer
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Resilience: Discovering a New Strength at Times of Stress
Frederic Flach
Resilience: Discovering a New Strength at Times of Stress
Frederic Flach
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The Resilience Factor
Karen Reivich, PhD and Andrew Shatte, PhD
The Resilience Factor
Karen Reivich, PhD and Andrew Shatte, PhD
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Everyday Yoga Meditation
Steven Sturgess
Everyday Yoga Meditation
Steven Sturgess
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It's Not OK to Feel Blue (and other lies)
Scarlett Curtis
It's Not OK to Feel Blue (and other lies)
Scarlett Curtis
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Everything is Figureoutable
Marie Forleo
Everything is Figureoutable: How One Simple Belief Can Help Us Overcome Any Obstacle and Create Unstoppable Success
Marie Forleo
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The Body Keeps the Score
Bessel A. van der Kolk
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Bessel A. van der Kolk
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The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations for Clarity, Effectiveness, and Serenity
Ryan Holiday
The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations for Clarity, Effectiveness, and Serenity
Ryan Holiday
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Resilience: How Your Inner Strength Can Set You Free from the Past
Boris Cyrulnik
Resilience: How Your Inner Strength Can Set You Free from the Past
Boris Cyrulnik
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Build Resilience with Appreciative Inquiry
Joan Blair and Jeanie Cockell
Build Resilience with Appreciative Inquiry
Joan MacArthur Blair and Jeanie Cockell
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Meditation: An In-Depth Guide
Ian Gawler and Paul Bedson
Meditation: An In-Depth Guide
Ian Gawler and Paul Bedson
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Widen the Window
Elizabeth A. Stanley, PhD
Widen the Window: Training your brain and body to thrive during stress and recover from trauma
Elizabeth A. Stanley, PhD
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Braving the Wilderness
Brené Brown
Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone
Brené Brown
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Stillness is the Key
Ryan Holiday
Stillness is the Key
Ryan Holiday
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Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
Emily Nagoski
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
Emily Nagoski
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Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, & Advice for Living Your Best Life
Ali Wong
Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, & Advice for Living Your Best Life
Ali Wong
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Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens & Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities
Elizabeth Edwards
Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens & Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities
Elizabeth Edwards
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