#caedchat is for California educators, by California educators. All are welcome as moderators and participants discuss issues that emerge in California education, which are generally applicable to other regions of the United States.
Glad to be moderating tonight’s #caedchat on self-care for teachers - Let’s take a moment to introduce ourselves. Where are you from? What do you teach? What do you hope to learn tonight?
Welcome to #caedchat, where educators gather to share and collaborate! Tonight’s topic is Healthy Teachers, Healthy Schools - a chat about self-care, moderated by @CohenD
Who’s ready for some #caedchat - I know a lot of teachers who have concerns about self-care, staying healthy and taking care of themselves to do their best work.
Helpful chat tip: use TweetDeck and have two columns open: one tracking the chat in real time and one for your space in the chat. Use the #caedchat hashtag on every tweet!
Hi all! Amanda, Digital Innovation TOSA here, checking in from Campbell. Excited about tonight’s chat— always need a self-care reminder, myself 🙂#caedchat
#CAedchat Shawn from Fresno, CA. Middle School AP. Looking forward to hearing how others take care of themselves. I'm participating as I near the end of 6 hours of healthy meal prep (what I'm focusing on for health right now)!
Hey #caedchat I'm excited to join in tonight, as I don't remember the last I had a chance to do this. I'm Christy, elementary principal in Costa Mesa. Looking forward to discussing tonight's topic.
A1: Self-care is taking the time to do things for yourself that benefit your mental and physical help. For example, I play hockey weekly for the exercise and socializing with my team. #CAedchat
A1: I think of self-care as taking care of one’s mental, physical & emotional health, and making sure to take a little “me” time everyone once in a while #caedchat
A1: Self cafe is “a” healthy habit as is expressing gratitude, showing compassion to others, self care for me involves knowing myself and acknowledging my physical emotional and spiritual needs and how to employee healthy habits to address them. #caedchat
I saw it presented in one article as knowing your own worth. We pamper people we love and care for, and we need to see that we deserve it too!
#caedchat
Agreed. I sometimes feel guilty taking downtime, but really very important for my well being & make sure to actually schedule it into the week #caedchat
Stopping by #caedchat for some time. Darren here, high school social studies teacher from @csdriverside. self-care things I enjoy: running, biking, and hiking
A1: I have to be honest. Sometimes I take time, procrastinate, and rationalize as “self-care” but it’s not really high quality. Gotta work on that.
#caedchat
A2: Sometimes, we just leave feeling drained...emotionally, physically, mentally...we put our hearts and souls into others: our students, our staffs, our community that it leaves very little for ourselves
#CAedchat
A1: True self-care takes discipline: carving out time to work out, decluttering your bedroom, remembering to do the things that give you energy & peace. #caedchat
I think in the process of sacrificing and giving of ourselves to others that we often forget ourselves, but at the end of the day, we should also take some time out for ourselves as well. There is a time to work but also a time to rest. #CAedchat
A2: I think what stops me is me. I don't make the time or I think I am being selfish. I use the excuses of being busy and having other things that are more important. But, I could make it happen... I just have to do it! #caedchat
A2: An Educators work is not finite. We are never “done”. Students needs are ongoing and ever changing. There is ALWAYS something to do. This makes self care challenging at times. #caedchat
There are so many daily demands on educators. People go into this business because they want to help others. Sometimes it is challenging for us to take a step back and put ourselves first. #caedchat
A2: once the school year starts, the work is constant. There’s never a moment when I couldn’t be doing something for work. Self-care slips as priority. #caedchat
A2- challenge I find is just time, M-F so wrapped up in needs of my Ss, and having my own 2 kiddos at home I just fall to the bottom of my own to do list #caedchat
A2: True. Sometimes your students and the busyness of that day are just always on your mind! You're looking for ways to improve and to help students the next day! #caedchat
A2: Time & the internal pressure we put on ourselves as teachers to be “on top of everything” daily/weekly/monthly. Also, even if we do schedule “down time” our work & our students are still on our minds.
#caedchat
A2 Being an educator is far from a straight 40. Things come up from all sides.... students, staff, admin... many have urgency that detains us. #caedchat
A2 Most by nature are caring & giving. We teach, many of us coach, get involved in the community and several of us politically are in involved as well as lead the union on top of family obligations & responsibilities. #caedchat
I remember watching a video on becoming an adult, and there was a segment that said amid all your other responsibilities, you should plan some time to do absolutely nothing. It's okay to do that! #caedchat
Q2: Decision making overload often paralyzes our ability to self-regulate which effects our ability to pinpoint our own needs. I can’t tell you how often I can’t even determine why I’m feeling off only to discover I’m thirsty or I have to use the bathroom #caedchat
A3: The ever-present overflowing plate and the expectation that we just keep adding to it rather than taking something actually OFF it to make room for something like taking care of ourselves...
#CAedchat
A3: If so, I really hope it is not from their administrators. Speaking as an administrator. It's all about time management and priorities....I preach this more to my staff than I practice it. #newgoal#caedchat
A3: I hate to say it, but I think ESPECIALLY with those of us active on Twitter, with CUE, etc...Saturday/Sunday conferences and chats feel so important, but absolutely take away from precious down time and/or family time! =( #caedchat
A3: Sometimes feel like we “reward” our best Ts w/more work... committees, leadership roles, etc. How can they continue to be their best if we burn them out? #caedchat
A3: I hate to say it, but I think ESPECIALLY with those of us active on Twitter, with CUE, etc...Saturday/Sunday conferences and chats feel so important, but absolutely take away from precious down time and/or family time! =( #caedchat
A3: I don't feel external pressure. It's more pressure I put on myself to get everything done, make sure everyone has what they need, and time for me comes last. I am trying to change it... but old habits are hard to break. #caedchat
A3: There are times when I want to just relax, but I get called in to do some kind of work. When that happens, I feel guilty--as if what I was doing before was somehow lazy or wrong. #caedchat
Agreed - everyone needs to take stock of their situation and make wise choices with their time. If my kids were ten years younger this timing might not work for me. #caedchat
A3: I try to respectfully ask a lot of questions. It's my responsibility to communicate needs and get clarification. People appreciate this. No one want's to hurt others. No one's perfect. #caedchat
This concept is near and dear to my heart. Created the 7 Spokes Project w a fellow teacher friend. All about educator self care and wellness. I see each and every day as an instructional coach how much educators give of themselves for students. https://t.co/pY2qY8idvs. #caedchat
Yup. I love doing all the things! But realized that I shouldn’t over-extend myself. Have to pick & choose a few things this year, not all. Not doing a great job so far but trying ;) #caedchat
One of my pet peeves is when I get asked to cover a class that wasn't filled by a sub. I weigh being a team player and having the prep period be what I need it to be. Pressure
#caedchat
A1: Creating time for yourself is an important part of self care! Especially as teachers we are so focused on caring for others and we forgot to make sure that our bodies and minds are healthy. #caedchat
It can eat at your time, even in the case of doing something remotely productive. It comes down to what is important in the long run. You may not always be in the job as a teacher, but your family will always be there. #caedchat
c A3 absolutely. Schools depend on tons of “above and beyond” duties such as dept./PLC leadership, class coverage, participation in committees, athletic supervision, etc. and their need to fulfill these positions often supersedes awareness of self-care. #caedchat
Looking to expand our reach and support teachers and educators with self-care. Have FB and IG pages too. This spring we’re doing a workshop and hoping to create online communities as well in 2018. #SelfCareSunday#caedchat#balance
A1: I would define self care as recognizing what my mind, body and soul needs and then doing that. It’s more than just a healthy routine, it’s that plus self awareness. #caedchat
Well, then again, making time to chat with other educators can remind you that you’re overwhelmed feelings, kitchen table piles of papers, that cardboard box in your trunk of school “stuff” ...is normal for a teacher & something you can forgive yourself for! #caedchat
A2: Self care tends to fall down on the priority list. Teachers are often so focused on their students that they forget that their well being is just as important. #caedchat
I had a heart attack while teaching and was back in just 7 days. I look back and just think Stupid. I remember feeling overwhelming need to return for the S’s
And don't be a tech-person! You'll really get called on! I don't mind helping, but you always have to rearrange your schedule if you have other things going on. That adds some pressure to the mix. #CAedchat
Major issue for us as well! Have Ts losing prep time to help w/coverage. Seems like sub shortage not going away & we need to come up w/a better plan #caedchat
A3 my team often discusses how every new thing we start is adding to our workload. Nothing ever seems to so away when we try something new. Also if something works for one team shouldn’t be pushed on others. #caedchat
A3: The entire profession is filled with hard work and dedication that takes away from self care. Teachers work just as hard as their students and it is very time consuming. #caedchat
A4: I have started using more #eduprotocols in my day to free up planning time and because it is good pedagogy. Also, integrating more technology in creative ways is another time saver. I'm trying to use the new found time for me. #CAedchat
I suppose you would have to ask why is there a shortage of subs. You have to get to the root of the problem. What can be done to make subbing I guess a more "enticing" job? #caedchat
Same here. Exactly. I’d like to do more, but my #oneword2018 is #real and if I’m busy with too many committees, chats, activities, social events... I can’t be present & human in the moment, and that’s a sacrifice I don’t want to make anymore.
#caedchat
A4: I started scheduling brain/activity breaks into our day. Good for me AND Ss... walks around the track, reading in the garden... good time for everyone to breath, get the blood flowing, socialize #caedchat
A2: I think we wear giving as a badge of honor even to the point that it drains us. I try to setup systems that will minimize my involvement with trivial matters and I live by “successful Ts don’t get it all done, they get the important stuff done.” #caedchat#eduprotocols
A4: I use ASSURE lesson planning for technology integration, and I do some kind of prep each day of the week for about 20-30 minutes. For myself, I have to an organized process and have time blocked out for planning. #CAedchat
A4 Teach ourselves then our students to take time for mindfulness DURING class. Pause for a minute or two to breathe, listen, reconnect. Also explicitly teach mindset skills and USE them to keep focus on what’s both important and good. #CAedchat
A2: Our #7SpokesProject examines the nuances of #selfcare - nourish, move, rest, communicate, be, create, enjoy. Our relationships and ability to define ourselves outside of our roles as educators is essential to finding balance. #caedchat
A4: If we focus the narrative on positive self talk, the presumption of positive intent and helping Ss prioritize tasks we change the climate for both Ss and educators #caedchat
A2: Very good point. It's a job full of challenges and it's always changing. Each student is different and their needs are different. There is always work that needs to be done #caedchat
A4 I have been having students do more self evaluation. It is very good for them (according to research) and makes it easier for me to grade the work too. #caedchat
Q4 I think the discussion is just starting with #ditchhw, feedback vs grades, student -centered learning. However,I have no idea how to spend less time designing lessons or redesigning. State assessments still focus for many admin #caedchat
A4: The key to both teacher self-care and student learning is "pacing." It is as true for pedagogy as it is for social emotional learning. Time to reflect and recharge. #caedchat
Mindfulness— yes!! Great for helping Ts and Ss develop self-awareness in addition to coping strategies! Going back into classroom next year & fully planning to integrate daily mindfulness practice #caedchat
A4- I've stopped giving assignments that need to be graded! Kids learn the skills, I help along the way. I create assessments that will show where the students are. "In Theory"
#caedchat
A4: I think its important for teachers to be mindful of self-care when creating lesson plans; for students and themselves. Everyone needs a little time to relax and that can't be done if there is always work to do. #caedchat
A4: I've done a lot of rdg about mindfulness...for myself & Ss. I have been leading some Ss who are sent to my office for discipline in breathing exercises & self-calming techniques/quiet time. I will also take them out for a modified recess & lead in physical exercises #caedchat
A4: Sure, some tried & true methods of supporting self-care as a teacher involve: establishing boundaries, routines, sharing the work/control, getting outside, & not making promises all the time “tests scores will be posted Monday” or “we’ll change seats Friday.” #caedchat
A5: We bring our baggage to school with us. If we don't empty our bags though self-care... the bags end up weighing us down and hindering our ability to be a good teacher. Our kids deserve a whole, healthy teacher. #CAedchat
A5: It makes teachers less stressed. Maintaining a healthy habits can also wear off on your students as well and contribute to classroom culture. Students can read you, so it's best to at least have a relaxed mindset when you go in to the class. #CAedchat
A4: Final part...I'm looking into starting a yoga lunch class. 1x or 2x a month and getting parent volunteers to help. Good for me and the students. I'm looking for resources to help organize. #caedchat
A5 you mean like eating so I’m not hangry? My 5th period students encourage me to finish my lunch if I was too busy to eat it all during lunch time. #caedchat
A4 make the students in charge of checking each others’ work, no homework, use online games that also collect data automatically like @quizizz#caedchat
A5 record high levels of depression and anxiety in our students. We MUST model self-care because many did not learn at home. Show them how to be human beings not human doings. #caedchat
Over the course of this month, I've run a number of teacher sessions & workshops where we've crowdsourced our favorite digital tools, broken into categories. The last session was at #FETC. Check the resource we've created for you all: https://t.co/iC6QUAOCpL#LT8Keys#FutureReady
A5: True story...I'm a type-1 diabetic. When I got irritable (a sign of high blood sugar), my classes were encouraged to ask me to check my glucose levels! LOL #CAedchat
A1:When I think of self-care I think of it as making sure you are always okay before worrying about anyone else. Now I feel like having healthy habits plays a role in self-care because if you are not healthy then you are not taking care of yourself the correct way. #caedchat
A3: Successful business put employee care before customer care because happy employees make for good customer interactions. Can we take this view in our schools too? #caedchat#SelfCareSunday
A5 when I reduced my stress by switching districts joy reentered my teaching & my level of effectiveness was raised. I was able to bring my whole self to the task each day and was happy again #caedchat
For myself that would mean organizing my own life and making sure all of my obligations are complete. It means taking out time for myself, so I don't feel like my work is interfering with my entire life. #caedchat
Really good. We have to exhibit what good stress management looks like. Students need to see at least one person who's stable in an unstable world. #CAedchat
A1. Self-care to me is also being confident in yourself and your abilities. Figuring out what I wanted to do in life was my version of self-care, along with eating better and exercise. #caedchat
A5- the healthier, happier, more passionate , rested we are as Ts the more we can give to Ss, I want to also teach my own kids and Ss making healthy choices w there lives, we have passions and hobbies too! #caedchat
Ooooh, yes, a real problem. Made myself sick a couple times not eating enough during school day. Now I make sure to stop for food and keep plenty of snacks around! #caedchat
A5: We have these Stop & Think sheets for students. I think I need one. When I call myself back to what I believe and who I should be, I enjoy what I do. #caedchat
A5-When we are overwhelmed, we are not at our best and the students see it right away. The best thing for them is to have taken care of all our outside stuff and be PRESENT in the classroom. Fully engaged!
#caedchat
A2:Teachers face many unique challenges when it comes down to self-care mainly for the reason that the student will always come first and it tends to make it harder to worry about yourself more at that moment. #caedchat
A4. Pedagogy should be more about student and teacher passions! If teachers share their passions in fun and exciting ways than that catches on and inspires student learning. Group work and hands-on activities are needed more. #fcsed#caedchat
A5: I also think that maybe keeping a journal would help as well for our own personal reflection. Being able to express our thoughts and see what we can do better may help and what we are succeeding in helps to self-care as well. #caedchat
A5: We need to set an example for students. Sometimes we don't realize it but they look up to us. By exercising proper self-care we are also teaching our students how to care for themselves. #caedchat
Teacher buddies help. Teacher next door kept snacks I liked because she knew I’d forget to eat. She’d pop in and make me breathe.. and eat .. @faxaby#caedchat
Yes! I had a couple of teachers learn about mindfulness during their "Passion Project" time and presented it to the staff. They loved it and the practice is slowly spreading. #caedchat
A5: As an environmentalist & a gardener, I share stories of my nature hikes, garden tours, habitat restoration work. These fuel my spirit & perhaps inspire kids, as well. Also, I’ve created a gardening program at my school. Working with the dirt & plants calms kids. #caedchat
A6: Modeling correct responses and behavior. Knowing how to keep your emotions at bay, especially if you have something going on in your life. It's easier said than done, but learning how to maintain that pep in your step so to speak. #CAedchat
A6: Our district did try to offer yoga classes at one site occasionally. I am not sure if they still do. There were classes offered, too though our health plan. Times were inconvenient though. We have @100MileClub at our school. Ts and Ss get exercise daily running. #CAedchat
A4: YES! Get students to do the work and therefore be actively involved in learning and creating! Whenever I’m prepping lessons I’m always thinking “is this something I should be building/creating/planning or my students? #eduprotocols#caedchat@jcorippo@mhebern
I like to give my 1st period fair warning when I've had a long night with the babies. They usually take it easy on me and show empathy. We're in this together!
#caedchat
Balance is not the absence of too much to do. It the ability to enjoy and appreciate the things we choose to do and the ability to choose wisely! #caedchat
A6 many things but let’s start with the basics : encourage teachers to go home at a reasonable hour. Admin should do so as well. Don’t ask the same reliable people to do everything. And take time for mindfulness, relationship building, and connection in EVERY meeting. #caedchat
A6 Shout our to my admin team for being great at supporting the self-care of our staff and their families. They are always supportive and understanding. #caedchat
A3. I'm currently entering the field of education, but I would say that having to teach curriculum you don't understand or necessarily agree with can affect self-care. Which in turn can affect student learning. #caedchat
A6: I think school leaders should DEMONSTRATE that they care for Ts and Ss. That goes a long way toward teachers and students knowing that SELF care and love is important, too. In the same way that knowing that God loves me makes it more likely that I'll love myself #caedchat
A6: it occurs to me that we can take care of our school leaders too. They may be under even more pressure to be available 24/7 and take on everyone’s probs. #caedchat
A2. Our personal lives and all the complications that can come with that stop us from effective self-care in the classroom. Also, financial needs may as well if that becomes your main focus instead of helping students. #caedchat
A6: This! Support teacher passions! Leaders can ask how they can help a teacher realize a unit or a project or something like #MakerSpace. Or... something bigger, like a garden... Let inspiration grow from the staff & the students. #caedchat
A4. Pedagogy should be more about student and teacher passions! If teachers share their passions in fun and exciting ways than that catches on and inspires student learning. Group work and hands-on activities are needed more. #fcsed#caedchat
I think this is why we're seeing so many teachers start their own blogs. It's an outlet and a way to have a dialogue with other like minded people. I love these chats. I wish I could do them more
#caedchat
A7: For me, I am going to put me time on my calendar first. I think enlisting a friend or family member to hold you accountable for exercise is a good plan. Find something you love and don't want to miss. For me that's hockey. #CAedchat
A3:Teachers do face mixed messages when they are faced to do something that does not involve self-care. They are unfortunately sometimes pressured so much that it becomes unhealthy for them due to the stress. #caedchat
A6 One of the ways you can tell my school is a great place to work is that when a teacher puts out an email asking for class coverage so they can attend to some important personal event, there are usually multiple offers to help within an hour. #caedchat
Yes, I find them just very beneficial because you are recapturing your day instead of bottling up inside and replaying the horror as you lay awake in bed at night. #CAedchat
A2: Our #7SpokesProject examines the nuances of #selfcare - nourish, move, rest, communicate, be, create, enjoy. Our relationships and ability to define ourselves outside of our roles as educators is essential to finding balance. #caedchat
As we near the end of our chat, don’t forget to follow some new educators from tonight’s chat and help grow your PLN! We are #bettertogether! #caedchat
A7: So many great apps out there...headspace, calm, breathe... Having an apple watch and tracking my steps, etc. Having buddies to check-in and keep you accountable w/your health goals. Finding other buddies who you trust and can vent/laugh/stay sane. #caedchat
A6. Student leaders can encourage teachers to take breaks when needed. Let them know subs are available if needed to prevent stress breakdowns. Give teachers a chance to catch their breath. Also, let students know it's ok to take a short time out every once in awhile #caedchat
A7: A good place to worship, daily prayer or meditation, a strong community of people who will support you and taking time to sing everyday. Also take the time to appreciate nature. #gratitudeheals#caedchat
A7: I also keep a gratitude journal that helps me recognize the positives in my day and makes me reflect on things that make me happy so I can do them more. #caedchat
The best resource for self-care is you! Take a day to do things you enjoy. Go to the spa! Spend time with loved ones. And don't forget to acknowledge your hard work with positivity (and some sweet treats). #caedchat
If I have to replay the horror, I'm ditching that lesson and setting it on fire, never to be seen or thought of again! Then I sleep like a baby.
#caedchat
