
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+.
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.
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+.
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
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
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
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
DIRECTIONS – Part 1 – Observe & Interview You are going to be a journalist and write a news story about a day in the
“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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
DIRECTIONS – Part 1 – Log Your Routine In order to create a well-balanced daily schedule, it is a good idea to first reflect on
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
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
DIRECTIONS – Part 1 In the My Responsibilities section in the diagram, write your duties: the things that you must do and are responsible for
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
DIRECTIONS – Part 1 Life is full of changes, some big and some small. Can you think of a big change that has happened to
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
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
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
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.
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 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.
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!