About Teach yourself Care
It’s nearly the end of 2020 (thank goodness!) and I am just beginning this blog. Below you will find my vision for what it will become. So, if you don’t see many posts, rest assured that they are coming, so check back often.
You are an educator. Therefore, you are probably overworked, underappreciated, and extremely stressed out. This needs to change. Seriously, it does.
You need to take better care of yourself, prioritize your own wants and needs (even over those of your family and students – not all the time, but at least some of the time), and find ways to bring that stress level way, way down. This may sound like a tall order maybe even an impossible one, but you CAN do this and this blog can help.
Here you will find posts to help your mind, body, and spirit, in and out of the classroom. If you are short on time and just need a quick pick-me-up, you’ll find it here. If you are really struggling and need to go deeper, we’ve got you covered.
As you explore this site, remember that even small changes can make a big difference. In fact, making small changes over time generally results in more significant and permanent positive life changes than trying to make ginormous, drastic changes. You don’t have to do it all. Just try one thing.
Also, remember to treat yourself with kindness. You know, like you would treat someone you love.
The Bigger Picture
{{SOAP BOX WARNING}}
Helping educators to reduce their stress is so very important. But there is more. While teacher stress is a huge problem on its own, it is also a symptom of a dysfunctional and emotionally unhealthy institution. Things need to change at that much higher level. Teachers must be respected. Their time, energy, and professional expertise must be respected – by students, parents, administrations, and the country as a whole. The culture of school needs to change. Teachers must be given the support they need.
For that to happen, the cultural regard for teachers must shift.
I hope that someday administrators and politicians will do a better job of supporting and protecting teachers. But until that happens, it is up to you to make your own needs a priority (or at least as much as you can). Fortunately, by doing so, you not only help yourself (and everyone around you since a less-stressed you is a better teacher, colleague, friend, parent, etc.) but are also helping to bring this bigger vision into reality. By establishing appropriate boundaries, even in small ways, you are taking steps to change the landscape of education as a whole.
about rachel
You may know me from Teachers Pay Teachers or from the Minds in Bloom website.
I am also…
a former teacher. Most of my experience has been in teaching gifted and talented in grades 2-4, but I have also been a technology teacher for grades K-8. I’ve taught science and summer writing classes.
the author of more than 120 nonfiction books for children on a variety of topics as well as more than a dozen teacher resource books.
an advisor and board member at Boom Learning.
I have 2 adult children and 2 nearly-adult stepdaughters.
I live near Seattle with my wonderful husband and 2 adorable and very barky terriers.
When I am not researching and writing about self-care or creating teaching products I enjoy traveling, painting things (I paint rocks that I leave in and around the Little Free Library I maintain with my husband. I also painted a mural of flowers on a wall in our courtyard), biking, hiking (well, walking really, but hiking sounds so much better), playing tennis and ping-pong, board games (we are currently into Carcassonne), cooking comfort food, dancing, crocheting colorful and usually somewhat crooked hats, and spending way too much time in hot water. Also, I have far too many houseplants.
