Happy Teacher Revolution helps educators address burnout and jumpstart their own practices to claim joy. Using the latest developments in neuroscience and her experience as a teacher, author Danna Thomas introduces you to self-care practices that help you prioritize your wellbeing while handling the difficulties of a demanding profession. This research and evidence-based handbook amplifies the voices of a wide range of changemakers, providing data and deliberate action steps to support well-being on both an individual and systemic level in order to enact transformational change. Realize increased self-worth and learn to decrease prolonged stress by pushing back on expectations of time, money, and emotional capacity.
You will: - Access tools and videos that explore caregiver burnout, vicarious trauma, and the importance of self-care in the field of education - Understand why it’s essential to claim happiness as your own "best practice" to help students - Discover practical techniques for identifying your limits and authentically setting boundaries - Learn to support peers in your community and work together to address the social-emotional and intellectual demands of teaching
Educators, including both teachers and school leaders, will appreciate the practical and person-centered approach in Happy Teacher Revolution. With the techniques in this book, you can build a more resilient classroom, a more resilient community, and, most importantly, a happier you.
Table of Contents
Foreword xiii
Introduction xvii
My Why xviii
A Momentous Road Trip xxi
Part I Investing in Yourself 1
Chapter 1 Tending to Your Basic Needs 5
Discover What Works for You 7
Practice Self-Care Competence 8
Maintain Your Self-Care 9
Listen to Your Body 9
Present Your Authentic Self 12
Show Up for Yourself 12
Center Your Well-Being 15
Chapter 2 Cultivating Belonging 19
Identify Belonging versus Fitting In 20
Aim for Belonging 22
Fulfill Your Authentic Self 24
Go to What You Know 25
Reach Out for Support 26
Chapter 3 Feeling Competent 29
Manage with Mindfulness 30
Accept Some Discomfort 31
Affirm Yourself 33
Create Routine 34
Stay Focused on You 35
Drop Something 36
Face Procrastination 37
Strengthen Your Knowledge 39
Chapter 4 Reaching Beyond Everyday Life 41
Dance. Sing. Create. 43
Put Things Down 45
Plan Rest 46
Schedule Dates with Yourself 48
Chapter 5 Engaging in Self- Care with Students 1 51
Start a Win Journal 51
Exercise Your Best Self 52
Practice Mindfulness Together 53
Chapter 6 Establishing Boundaries 1 57
Create Containers 57
Cultivate Spaciousness 58
Part II Reflecting/integrating 1 59
Guided Meditation: Cultivating Joy and Connection with Self 63
Somatic Embodiment Experience 64
Breathing Experience 64
Scent Experience 65
Soundtrack Experience 65
Taste Experience 65
Poetry Experience 67
Part III Nurturing Relationships with Colleagues, Families, and Kids 71
Chapter 7 Modeling and Building Community 75
Create Space to Foster Connection 77
Value Collaboration over Competition 78
Practice “Unmasking” 80
Consent to Vent 81
Find a Polyvagal Partner 83
Chapter 8 Offering and Requesting Meaningful Appreciation 87
Cultivate Gratitude 89
Consider “Code Lavender” 92
Know Your “Why” 93
Practice Celebration 95
Appreciate by Listening 97
Chapter 9 Supporting Students Who’ve Experienced Trauma 101
Study the Science of Trauma 103
Bear Witness, Offer Compassion 105
Favor Connection over Compliance 109
Remember: It’s Not About You 111
Practice Responding Without Harming 112
Chapter 10 Engaging in Self-Care with Students 2 117
Create a Playlist Together 117
Regulate by Embodying 118
Share a Meal Together 118
Rest and Digest 118
Chapter 11 Establishing Boundaries 2 121
Specify Your Limits 121
Choose Boundaries over Burnout 122
Express Yourself 122
Be Gentle with Yourself 123
Part IV Reflecting/integrating 2 125
Naming Your Support 125
Guided Meditation: Cultivating Joy and Connection with Others 126
Somatic Embodiment Experience 127
Breathing Experience 128
Scent Experience 128
Soundtrack Experience 128
Taste Experience 128
Poetry Experience 130
Part V Advocating for Yourself and for Systemic Change 133
Chapter 12 Letting Yourself Be Autonomous 137
Be a Pioneer 139
Make the Invisible Visible 141
Advocate for Accessibility and Equality 143
You Can’t Spell “Resist” Without “Rest” 144
Give Yourself Filler Episode Days 147
Chapter 13 Focusing on What You Know Is Right 151
Work to Change That Which Harms Students 153
Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable 154
Manage Your Expectations 156
Identify the Fear 157
Identify Imperfection versus Dysfunction 158
Create Community 160
Amplify Your Authentic Self 162
Break Stuff and Rebuild It 163
Chapter 14 Addressing Vicarious Trauma 167
Tune In to the Wisdom of Your System 168
Check in with Yourself and Know You Aren’t Alone 171
What You Witness, You Need to Bear Witness To 172
Advocating for Yourself Is Advocating for Others 174
Chapter 15 Engaging in Self-Care with Students 3 177
Cultivate Emotional Wellness 177
Be a Lifelong Learner 178
Trust in Your Own Timing 179
Chapter 16 Establishing Boundaries 3 181
Prioritize Your Well- Being 181
Front- Load Self- Care for Activism 182
Express Emotions Constructively 183
Part VI Reflecting/integrating 3 185
Guided Meditation: Cultivating Joy and Collective Change 186
Somatic Embodiment Experience 188
Breathing Experience 188
Scent Experience 188
Soundtrack Experience 189
Taste Experience 189
Poetry Experience 191
Part VII Finale 193
About the Author 201
Acknowledgments 203
Glossary 205
References 209
Index 219
