As we end another school year and look forward to summer vacation, I think back to my first years in education and what summer “vacation” looked like for me. July was spent taking additional qualification courses and most of August was spent prepping and planning. It wasn’t really much of a vacation. So why did […]
wellness
The Importance of Trust
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to uncertainty and change in education. Just when I think I have a handle on the way things are going to go for the week there is a Government announcement that changes the plan. I am “pivoting” so much I have motion sickness. When decisions that affect a work environment […]
Staff Relationships: COVID Edition
Everyone wants to feel welcomed, liked and seen at their place of work. To me, this sense of belonging provides me with the confidence and the resources to have conversations with fellow staff, ask questions when I need help and create new connections. As an OT, creating meaningful relationships with staff you don’t see daily […]
“Ontario considering extended school closures as winter break approaches”
Gulp. My heart sank down to my stomach as I read headlines such as this one flood the news and every single social media platform that I am a member of. I am, by nature, a worrier in general. So this year and all that has come with it has brought immense amounts of stress […]
Compassion Fatigue and Teacher Burnout
It is no secret to educators that teaching is an occupation of high stress. A Johns Hopkins University study ranked teaching as the 4th most stressful job of all occupations. Educators know that the job is stressful, but sometimes it helps to put a name to something in order to help us cope. Sometimes, it […]
Inspiration During the COVID Crisis
I know that as I write this, I speak from a fortunate position. We are working safely from home and all of us are still healthy. Other than not being able to see extended family and friends, having some aches and pains from being in front of the computer and get out to the hair […]
Mindfulness in Education
There is a significant amount of research about the benefits of mindfulness in education. Much of the research shows that consistent mindfulness practices in classrooms lead to lower stress levels and higher test scores. It is a hot topic and wanting to to do the best for students, we are seeing more of it in […]
Daring Classrooms
I state the obvious when I say that teaching is a demanding job. If you are reading this, you are most likely a teacher and this is not news to you. I’d like to highlight a resource that feeds the soul of a teacher (and quite frankly a human being) while also providing some strategies […]
New Ideas and Connections
This year has certainly been full of unknowns. We are working with an expired contract. Reorganization happens with my board late in September. Just as I successfully created a smooth flow and eager learning with my students, my assignment was jostled around. As a teacher, I’m flexible with changes. As a human I struggle with […]