It's that time of the year. Assessment season, spring fever, the thought of what still needs to be accomplished in a short amount of time, increase in spring activities, graduations, etc... Life is happening and can be a whirlwind! Managing it all can result in stress, which does impact choices and focus.
This week, several questions about ways to respond to stress were posed to our Teacher Leader Coalition members. They had great ideas such as: exercise, eat healthy, engage in mindfulness activities, provide brain breaks for students, cover a recess/class for a colleague, among many others. I was impressed with the number of ideas that they came up with in a short amount of time! I felt better just from participating in this brainstorming session, so might be an idea for staff/team meeting kickoff!
Relating to this topic, I recently came across an article from Edutopia that provided additional ideas for turning stress into a positive force. Here is the link if you are interested: 4 Powerful Mindsets for Turning Stress into a Positive Force. This is what caught my eye from the article: If stress is the norm, is burnout inevitable? The good news is, the answer is no. The latest research on resilience suggests that you can think about stress in ways that help prevent burnout and enhance well-being. Check out the article for 4 powerful mindsets!
Another wonderful resource available to all staff is our Employee Assistance Program (EAP.) They offer counseling, massage therapy, classes on mindfulness, among many other options to meet individual needs. GIPS employees and eligible family members can participate in up to 6 free sessions! They are also willing to come to the buildings and provide information to staff. We all want to be our best for our students and families everyday, so a great support for anyone! It's definitely worth investigating!
On another, and somewhat related topic, understanding how stress impacts the student brain is so important to the actions we take to address undesired behaviors that distract from the classroom learning environment. This article from Edutopia provides some clarity around the difference between discipline and punishment to accomplish the goal "Every Student, Every Day a Success": Aiming for Discipline Instead of Punishment. I appreciate the examples of consequences that teach, restore and repair relationships and focus on our desired outcomes for all students. It's a short, informative read based on recent research. Strategies to consider to "RISE UP" for our students!
In closing, take care of yourself, be caring and thoughtful about others, and see the upside to how stress can positively impact your life! Wishing you all a blessed and enjoyable upcoming Easter Weekend!
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