Blog Archives - Brave Teachers

Transformational Teacher Care

9/30/2015

How many ways can I think of for transformational teachers to care for themselves?
I think these are difficult to do with any sort of consistency, but see if you can give just one a try
{These are things that I’m applying so much more now that I’m out of the classroom for this year.}

Know your limits and stick to them--know how much time you will commit in a day/a week/ a month/ a year to the tasks you need to do--planning/grading/cleaning/set up/ extra stuff.
Be realistic and stick to it. For example: I have 30 minutes to grade, and that is all today.
Close out distractions from your personal work time--no internet, friends, kids, coworkers, etc. The time moves fast, and you know what you have to do. Carve out that quiet work time and keep it sacred.
Say NO! politely but firmly. Some ways to say it are: “I wish I could, but I’m not able to add anything extra right now.” “That sounds like a good idea, but it doesn’t line up with my goals right now.” “I wish you well, but I am not able to participate at this time.”
Do something that brings you joy every single day--cook, walk around your block, knit, play with your kids, clean your house, listen to music, whatever it is for you. It might be very simple like smile as you walk down the street. You are only able to give from the overflow of your joy, so keep your joy well filled and overflowing!
Honor your humanity. You are not a teaching machine or robot. You are a human being. When you recognize and accept this in your self it will be much easier to recognize and accept in other people--especially your students.

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You Can Do It

9/27/2015

Dear Brave and Amazing You,

You can do this! You've got it! It might even turn out better than you expect.

Let hope be your refuge as you take the next step.

Sending you courage and strength,
Brave Teacher Mim

I LOVE Working With Small Groups of Teachers

9/21/2015

I love working with small groups of teachers. I love when we can dialogue, troubleshoot, and create something out of nothing!

I have three amazing upcoming workshops that I want to share with YOU!

In collaboration with The Art Center on Tusc I am pleased to present:

Creativity in the Common Core Classroom
Are you a teacher who feels like the creativity has been sucked right out of teaching? Join us for a fun evening of making loads of projects that you can take back into the classroom and use while meeting the common core standards. Many activities are quick and can be used for a wide variety of purposes.

Tuesday, October 6, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m., $40 REGISTER HERE

NEOEA DAY Teacher Play Day
Join me for a morning so playful it won't even feel like work or learning! We will start with a yoga to relax, and then we will work from the inside out creating paintings, booklets, and other resources that may be for your use or to take back into your classroom.

Friday, October 16, 9:00 - noon, $40, pay at the door

Book Art Workshop

Discover the limitless possibilities of book art as I share loads of examples, we make a box shaped book, we learn to sew book bindings, and then we follow our own creative bliss to create even more. Materials and resources to do all of this is included.

Thursday, October 22, 6:00pm - 8:00pm. REGISTER HERE

Email me with any questions. I'm looking forward to working with you!

Experience Grants the Soul Power

9/20/2015

A little over a month ago I reached out to the amazing Jen Lemen as my life took a radical turn and I was fighting fear at every turn. Even though I knew this was what I was meant to do, and I have not wavered on that point, I was scared. In the wisdom that only a lifetime of putting love out into the world and all the joy and suffering that brings she responded, ". . .whether it works out or not doesn't matter nearly as much as who you become and the power that grants your soul to make an impact." And she went on to say, "It's going to be better and worse than you think and in the end, no matter what, you will know love and true power."

This week I felt so tested as I gave the last several days to staying at home with a sick boy who wanted to cling to me. And as none of my plans were accomplished I felt more fear about money and insurance, and am I just crazy to think that schools should be caring for their teachers in a holistic way and teaching their staff to care for students in a holistic way, and is my art good enough, and that crazy spiral down into fear and self doubt. I felt rotten. I was not sitting in a place of acceptance.

But today is a new week! And I want those of you who are struggling today, that my thoughts are with you. This struggle is all part of the journey. You are at this very moment being filled with the love and power you will need so that your soul can and will make an impact.

I'm sending you buckets full of courage to keep going. This is all part of the plan. In the end you will know love and true power! I am hopeful for us all!

Look Up!

9/16/2015

A gift from the amazing Nikki! Thanks!

If I had a dollar for every time I've heard a teacher say, "I just keep my head down."

These words are heartbreaking to me. I totally get it, but it still breaks my heart.

Do you feel like your in survival mode? Would you like to thrive with your eyes lifted to the sun and stars?

Join me Personalized Professional Development {A whole year of inspiration} or an Inspirational Coaching Session

I'm looking forward to this being the year that YOU look up and flourish!

Any Transformation

9/14/2015

One of my cool art cards created from scraps in my crafty bins! Now available in my studio at ACoT.

"Any transformation requires acceptance and change."

This is the line that really got me writing this morning--as in:

Serenity to accept the thing I cannot change and courage to change the things I can.

So excited to be working on this book. It's going to be a game changer! I can't wait to see where it's going to lead

Roots of Contentment

9/13/2015

Nature vs. Civilization 24 x 30 Acrylics on Canvas $220 Email me if you want to own this!

A special blessing for you today:

May you find yourself firmly rooted
in contentment today.
{And if there is no contentment
may you be bathed in gentle showers
alive with the courage to move.}

Dear Brave Heart,
Wishing you the all things lovely for the week ahead. You are worthy of contentment and satisfaction and breathing in beauty every single day.

xo Brave Teacher Mim

P.S. Summer of Inspiration Card Decks are available HERE. September 26 is the big Farewell To The Summer of Inspiration original poster sale online and in my physical studio! More details this week.

Light and Shadows

9/11/2015

Life is filled with all sorts of events. Some are filled with light. Some are filled with shadows. Most days are filled with both.

Today seems like an appropriate day to remember that on the days when shadows are long, it is best to have support. Community. Others to hold you up when you struggle to stand on your own.

Dear Brave Teachers,

If you're year is off to a rocky start, and you need some help holding on, please consider gifting yourself with a subscription to Brave Teachers Personalized Professional Development. By subscribing at the premium level you will have email access to coaching with me every day of the year. That means you can use my email box as your sounding board or ask for suggestions every single day, and I will give you the very best I have every day all year long. {Plus you receive the weekly newsletter from me!}

If you are wanting support around your students and classroom environment I recommend The Heart and Soul of the Classroom. If you are looking for full on encouragement and personal inspiration I recommend Teaching Young Minds Without Losing Yours.

I'm just waiting to offer YOU support!
Brave Teacher Mim

Want to improve today?

9/9/2015

Here is one secret. . .

Let your little light shine brightly and encourage others to shine their little lights.

You may be the only person who is not actively trying to extinguish your students' light. Remember that before the words and actions come out of you.

When we invite others to shine in our presence, we are brighter, too!

So go shine your light, and honor the light in others!

Friday Challenge, Reveal, Update, Give Away

9/4/2015

Today I have a challenge, a great reveal, updates and a give away. So here we go:

The Friday CHALLENGE: ASK YOURSELF THE QUESTIONS. I see the world filled with people who seem to move robotically through life, without questioning much of anything. Think about how you are impacting people and how you let people impact you. Are your choices serving you well in your mind, body, and spirit?

I hope your fall will be filled with courageous reflection and intentional action!

The REVEAL: To encourage and empower you to make these bold moves, I have created a card deck with 54 of my favorite watercolor quotes from this summer. I LOVE this, and just to brag a bit, so does everyone who has seen it! You can see it HERE RIGHT NOW!

UPDATES: Additionally, Save the Date: September 26, 2015, I will be selling all the original watercolors from Summer of Inspiration at an Open Studio and Online.

GIVEAWAY: I am giving away one Brave Inspiration Card Deck Mini Care Package on Labor Day at 9 p.m. EST. To enter share a reflective question on the BRAVE TEACHERS FB page.

Know that your light diminishes the darkness. So shine your little light into the world and let it reflect and become brighter as you reflect.

THIS IS THE CARD DECK MINI CARE PACKAGE I'M GIVING AWAY!