Blog Archives - Brave Teachers

Join The Revolution

7/31/2012

Brave Teachers is on the move to go boldly where no teacher empowerment program has ever gone before! I'm not talking deep space! I'm talking about more inspiration, deeper encouragement, and stronger empowerment than ever before.

We are going to band together as the Brave Teacher Tribe. Teachers are going to be transformed. Students will be transformed. Education will be reformed. And the world as we know it will be changed for ever. This is going to be BIG, people!

We are going to dig deeper with more soul centered work. There are going to be daily emails, more live events and retreats, an online forum, live online chats, new art projects, and an incredible tour!

Throughout the month of August more details will be revealed. So stay tuned for details on how to join the revolution and the tribe!

Get Moving

7/24/2012

Here's is a simple self care tip for brave hearts that are feeling tired or just worn down:

Get moving!

Find something you enjoy--dancing, cleaning, walking, biking working out, boating, gardening, or running--whatever it is, just do it! It doesn't have to be long or hard, but it does need to be moving!

Moving when I feel physically and/or emotionally spent seems counterintuitive -- expend more energy-- I don't even know if I have any energy left. I'm much more inclined to curl up. However, as I move, I do feel a subtle shift. It takes a little time.

There are challenges for me. The toughest part is getting started. The next toughest part is continuing after the second time. Another challenging is not beating myself--for not doing it all the time OR not being in better shape OR not doing it better. {You get the idea.}

Will you join me? Will you just get out there and move?

FREE Self Care Calendar

7/20/2012

Dear Brave And Amazing You,

I have been busy this summer making videos, lessons and resources for the online workshop, Visioning The Best Year Ever. {It's my FIRST online course, so I'm learning soooo much.

In the process I have been so often reminded that I need to take care of myself. I'm the only one who can practice self care for me. You're the only one who can practice self care for you!

I must admit that I too easily let go of self care, and before I know it the outside stuff of life and work have lead me down a path of frustration, fear, anxiety, or overwhelm. I would not let go of an appointment or meeting with someone else, so why not keep appointments with myself?

In the spirit of appointments for self care I have created a calendar for the entire 2012 - 2013 school year. It's filled with inspirational quotes, intentions, silly holidays, encouraging affirmations, and photos. It's simply a good thing. My intention is to put self care appointments on it, and then keep them. I feel good just thinking about it. I want you to feel good and save your sanity during the upcoming school year.

It's a gift I shared with the online workshop, and now I'm sharing it with you, too! It's my gift to you!

/uploads/6/9/8/1/6981441/2012_2013_self_care_calendar.pdf

Lessons In The Story

7/17/2012

I used to teach in a bush village in Alaska. The people where I lived are indigenous Yup'ik people. Their culture has historical taught through two methods. First, they model the task and you watch and then you do it and then they redo it. Second, they tell stories. This is so powerful.

I grew up with a mother who was a masterful storyteller. I still love a good story. I do learn from hearing stories. I do teach sometimes by telling stories. If you want a little inspirational story, read this recent blog post.

What's your story?
What are you seeing?

Whole Brain Teaching

7/14/2012

Here is the first Brave Resource I'm sharing with you:

Whole Brain Teaching

It might not sound like that big of a deal, but when you go to the website EVERYTHING is FREE! I just spent 2 days being trained in Whole Brain Teaching, and the workshop {probably the BEST I've EVER attended was also FREE--thanks to Walsh University}

You can watch videos of real teachers and real kids using this. You can see it used from kindergarten through college. You can watch all kinds of training videos, download tons of free ebooks and other resources.

WBT bills itself as an educational reform movement, and it is certainly re-forming the way I'm looking at teaching and working with kids. WBT is giving me courage to try something new. It's making me a braver teacher!

New Category: Brave Resources

7/13/2012

So I've decided to add another category to Brave Teachers:

{Drum roll, please}

Brave Resources!

Here I will share what I find that is just rockin' my little world! This is not just OK stuff, this is the revolutionary kind of stuff! Some of it will be so in your face, you won't be able to deny it, and some will just be quiet and waiting for you when you're ready. Some of it will be made by me, but most of it will be resources that I find and are so powerful I can't keep them to myself. Tomorrow is the first day for Brave Resources.

I'm hoping today you can just rest into a beautiful and gentle summer weekend. I'm sending you a good dose of gentle summer breezes and relaxation. Know that I'm thinking of you with hope in my heart just for you!

Taking Time

7/10/2012

Here is the question to write or think about today:

What am I going to do when I take time for myself?
When have I scheduled this time?

One reason I think people {teachers} don't do a great job of taking care of ourselves is because we don't actually have an activity planned or scheduled on the calendar. Then the work of life just takes up all our time.

I just took time for myself. Yesterday I spent the day in Lakeside. I spent time stirring and plotting a revolution of encouragement, inspiration, and empowerment for teachers. While this sounds selfless, it wasn't. My well was feeling so dry, and I needed something to help me recharge. I know of no better place to recharge than Lakeside. I felt my shoulders relax the moment I entered the gates. I learned a new craft and enjoyed lunch at the Hotel Lakeside Cafe. A huge shout out to Chris, Rosalyn, and Mercedes who made my day and fed my spirit. {I also felt guilty because for 2 nights in a row I was not there to put Sam in bed, but remarkably we all survived--better for our time apart!} I'm inviting you to make a plan, and take care of yourself.

Irrigating Deserts

7/8/2012

Love this quote:

"The task of the modern educator
is not to cut down jungles,
but to irrigate deserts."
{C.S. Lewis}

That begs a question to write or think about today:
How are you filling up your own well so you can irrigate deserts?

Caring For You

7/6/2012

Dear Brave And Amazing You,

Do you have any idea how bright your light is shining?
Do you know how essential your gifts are in this world?
Do you know that you must keep caring for yourself so that your brilliance will continue to radiate down on us all?
It's true!

To honor you I made a mini workbook of self care just for you. It's a little bit funky and a lot fun.

HERE is the instruction page.
HERE is the booklet page--especially cool when printed on color paper!

ENJOY! ENJOY! ENJOY!

Here is the "funky bit." It sort of has a hidden page.

I love SARK. She is enchanting!

If you like this little gem then you would find so many supportive tools in Visioning The Best Year EVER Online Workshop. Today is the absolute last day that the Online Workshop Registration is available. We just started week 2! We would love to have you join us.

Only A Little Piece

7/3/2012

An affirmation for all BRAVE hearts today:

I accept that I only see part of the situation.
I cannot see the whole picture.
I am powerless over all parts, except my own.

As someone who likes to fix everything and make it "just right," this is a tough one for me--both personally and professionally. I love to feel like all is right in the universe. I only see a small part of any situation. I am powerless over all parts except my own.

Sometimes it feels so disheartening that I cannot even see it all, and I'll never be able to care for it all. I don't even want to accept that as true.

Today I am going to make a sane choice. I am just going to see as clearly as I can what I can. And then I am going to work at showing up and being the best that I can be. That is the only little piece that I can do. And if we all do that, who knows? Maybe it will all come together.

Please know, Brave Heart, that your little piece is so important and valuable. You are loved and lovely. I'm sending out a little courage and strength.