When I work with educators in workshops, sessions, or coaching opportunities I am focused on supporting the educator and the things they can control. The most common question I get is, "But do you work with districts too? Because this can't only be one-sided." I agree 100% and do work with districts, but I'm a firm believer in understanding what you can control and where you can execute influence, and people need to be well in order to have the energy to advocate. So, my sessions teach burnout/disengagement recognition, healing and resilience, and understanding locus of control (amongst other things) to build advocacy for both themselves and others.
I have spoken to tens of thousands of educators on these points. Educators healing on an individual level is imperative to districts' healing on an organizational level. That needs to happen. I will die on that mountain. However, changes also need to happen in tandem at the district level in order to provide an environment for the educator to heal. This is one of the administration's most important jobs when it comes to educator mental health and employee sustainability - providing an environment that is conducive to healing.
Sometimes when I discuss this with districts they don't want to hear my answer when it comes to "What needs to change to support teachers?" They want me to say, "More self-care sessions." There are districts who know that more change is necessary but they don't know where to start, so in the absence of any definitive answer, they do the things that seem the most obvious. Therefore, I am working on a package for districts that includes a self-assessment and descriptions and strategies at each level. I've consulted with districts in many of these areas, and have used these tangible strategies, and I know they work if done well.
Below is the 1000-foot overview of the graphic. Feel free to download it if it's of interest. The rest of the package will be released within the next two weeks. If you don't already, please follow me on my socials to get the latest information. Bluesky is the space that I will be posting to most frequently, although I add information to my LinkedIn and Facebook page for something like this as well.
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