So why haven't I presented? It's because I taught 7th graders during the height of the pandemic - many many many teachers (including myself - in bits) were giving tips on "self care" and how to connect with students... and I was still crying every day. Many others - who were NOT teaching classes during the pandemic - had even more to say to "help" educators. I was so utterly frustrated with others trying to tell me what to do. COVID had me contemplating more... and talking and sharing less.
However...
One visitor asked us in an in-school PD session...
"What are you doing for yourself DURING the school day?"
I have read many books, tried many ideas, and now I'm ready to share what I do during the school day to alleviate the myriad stressors that are bound to come our way.
Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg, IL in room "Nirvana C" at 9:30am, Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
It's not about getting outside, following your passion(s), getting exercise, eating healthy, drinking more water (and less alcohol)! Those are all things we could be doing outside of the work day.
What about when you're teaching a class? What about when you're in a meeting with other staff? What about when you need to answer what could become a heated email exchange? I'm ready to share ideas tomorrow. My slideshow is tidbits from books I've read. I hope when I share, the slides all come together nicely.
My overall message:
Be cognizant of what you give your attention to.
Make an effort to be more in the present moment.
One thing I've done outside of school hours that has helped me become less stressed - I've been basically kicked off Twitter. I can still access it on my phone, but I hate using it that way. I used to access it only via my laptop, and that access is gone. (My explanation is here.) Since I really can't advertise this session much, we'll see who shows! No matter - I'm excited to once again share something I believe can help educators. I love feeling the passion for this session that I used to feel for Genius Hour and Standards Based Grading. I appreciate how life has provided so many opportunities for sharing my passions at different times in my teaching career. I look forward to seeing and learning more from my peeps tomorrow!
Best of luck! The pandemic really threw us all for a loop. Way to go finding your groove again!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteJoy, thank you for sharing your presentation. You highlighted many books on my TBR list. For me, it seems post pandemic teaching is more stressful. Getting through it didn't get us back to "how things were."
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your perspective asking what people are doing during the school day to de-stress. It's such an important question that I think many don't even have time to address because we're so set on teaching students how to do this. We forget about ourselves in the process.
I don't know if we'll ever get back to "how things were," and ... that might be an okay thing from certain perspectives. I'm looking forward to the day we can all have more fun in the classroom once again.
DeleteJoy, I'm thinking about you! It's finished by now. I enjoyed looking at the slides. There are so many books you have learned from the last few years. I am sure you were able to share your passion with others today. I wish I was there.
ReplyDeleteDenise, it would've been great to hug you there! ;) I saw many familiar faces, and I soaked it all up. I hardly took any pictures as I was simply enamored by the whole day.
DeleteJoy, I can't add the photo here that I just snapped from my Livebinders page, entitled "Inspiration for Class" with YOUR "Genius Hour/20% Time" resources. When I tell you how you galvanized my student-agency beliefs, I am not hyperbolizing. I even used Genius Hour successfully during the pandemic online, right with you and some of those tears. My favorite experience? Check-in conferences.
ReplyDeleteI hope your, presentation an "opportunit[y] for sharing my passions at different times in my career," was a great joy!