Welcome Back! For the first time since I started this blog, I decided to take a break from writing during the summer. I listened to some of my own advice and that was to strike a balance between work and play which meant that I had to let some things go or be put on pause for the summer. After last year, it felt like this was the time to truly take initiative in supporting good mental health.
Here in Georgia, we have K-12 school districts already back to school starting 2 weeks ago, and I have many college students packing up to leave for school this weekend. It looks like we are back to it!
I am curious to hear how you are feeling about going back to school? Take a moment to acknowledge your feelings both good and bad. There is no right way to be feeling about going to back to school. I recently read an article in Fortune magazine that talks about the reality that we might be “sleepwalking into a mental crisis” because people are not sharing or admitting their true feelings.
DON'T SUFFER IN SILENCE
Sophie Mellor’s article goes on to discuss a current phenomenon called “pleasanteeism”. According to Lime Group, a health insurance company in the UK, people are putting on a brave face at work and acting like all is well. Does this sound familiar? We think we are masking our anxieties, but the Lime Group determined that 1 out of 5 people admitted that they knew their colleagues “we’re hiding something deeper”.
This can’t be healthy. The most important thing is that you are aware of how you feel. Maybe try modeling being in tune with your feelings by doing a daily wellness check using emojis with your students:
BUILD YOUR TRUSTED TRIBE
Let’s collaborate with our peers and not just about lesson plans and data but let’s take time to open the space for empathy and quick check-ins on everyone’s mental well-being. Ask questions like:
- Tell me how you are feeling about the new year.
- What are you most excited about for the first week of school?
- Who will be your trusted tribe at the school?
- How will you celebrate the small and big wins?
We often feel a combination of anxiety and excitement as we anticipate the start of a new year, but this year feels different because of the variants of COVID. So, the question is how do we navigate the beginning of the year to ensure success and social-emotional security?
BE PART OF A COMMUNITY
This will be the beginning of a series called State of Mind, as we take some time to navigate this new school year. If there is something that you would like to hear discussed amongst our network of InspirED educators, please reach out to me or comment below.
See You Real Soon,
Erin
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION AND BUILDING A NETWORK OF FUN & INNOVATIVE TEACHERS?
HOW DO I KNOW IF THE HAPPY TEACHER CONFERENCE IS FOR ME?
- I love working with students and sharing a passion for learning
- I’ve lost a little bit of love for teaching
- I’m looking to reboot/re-energize my professional caree
- I could use a reminder about finding a balance with my personal and professional life
- I want to network with other teachers to find a community of support