Part of PBS Student Report Labs On Our Minds Podcast Series
How do you take care so that you can better support your students? In this episode, we’ll hear from teachers and uncover practical tips for self-care and maintaining work-life boundaries in the demanding field of education.
Specifically covered in this episode:
1:21; 5:03 The challenges faced by educators that impact their mental health
7:10 The importance of self-care and finding grounding mechanisms to cope with the emotional toll of teaching
10:34 Exploring the question: how can teachers feel a sense of completion with a job that’s never done?
12:32 A conversation with licensed psychologist, Dr. Melanie Schwartz, who emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, boundary-setting, and other essential strategies for teacher well-being
Featured educators: Nancy Frazier, Art Department Chair at Tierra Del Sol Continuation High School in Bakersfield, CA, who also teaches Broadcast Journalism, Python Coding, and Yearbook and Miriam Townsend, the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department Chair and multimedia teacher at McKinley Classical & Leadership Academy, a public high school in St. Louis, Missouri.
Additional insights from educators sharing their personal experiences: Leah Aiwohi, Jen Chaffman, Nicole Jones-Harper, Mindy Pavone and Greg Trzaskoma.
NOTE: Some participants preferred to remain anonymous
Special guest: Dr. Melanie Schwartz, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist and the owner of Viewpoint Psychology and Wellness in Commerce Township, MI.
Hosted by Mike Conrad of Royal Oak High School and Michael Kaufman of the Frederick V Pankow Center in Michigan.
SRL Community Engagement Manager Emily Hope Dobkin produced this episode with support from Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske. Evan Gulock edited and mixed this episode.
Read the Transcript