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?

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Why do teachers NOT

take care of themselves?

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Erin GruwellErin GruwellFreedom WritersFreedom Writers

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Jamie EscalanteJamie EscalanteStand and DeliverStand and Deliver

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RON CLARKRON CLARKThe Ron Clark StoryThe Ron Clark Story

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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.

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If you are not good for yourself, how can you be good

for others?Spanish proverb

(Feldman, A World Treasury)

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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

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HOW TO BALANCE IT ALLHOW TO BALANCE IT ALL

WHERE DO YOU FIT ON THE CONTINUUM

OF SELF-CARE?

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TOOLS YOU USE FOR SELF CARETOOLS YOU USE FOR SELF CARE

FOODSLEEPWATEREXERCISEFUN

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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

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DetachmentDetachment

“the capacity to care deeply from an objective

place”Angeles Arrien, PhDThe Four-fold Path

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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

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Detachment Equals

Boundaries

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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

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Courage…Authenticity Courage…Authenticity VulnerabilityVulnerability

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Never spend time with people who don’t

respect youMaori proverb

(Feldman, a World Treasury)

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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

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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

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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

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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?

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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.”

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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

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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

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TAKING CARE OF OUR BRAINTAKING CARE OF OUR BRAIN

STRETCHSTRETCHSIX STRETCHSSIX STRETCHS

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SummarySummary

Do the basics(sleep, eat, exercise)BreatheDetachRemember to receive and take care of

feelingsMeditate(quiet time…silence)StretchNature CallsLAUGH

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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?

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Questions? Questions?

Thanks for coming!ann mary robertsRADFORD UNIVERSITY

aroberts@radford.edu

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