Self-care is a word thrown around a lot these days in education. In the real world of teaching, answers aren't always easy. In fact, as I release this episode, "self-care" is the reason I did not go to #ISTELive that is this week. I need to focus on my health. So, it is fitting that today I discuss the reality of teaching with another teaching veteran. We share how we have navigated the stresses and struggles of teaching as we seek to live a balanced life and do what matters. In addition to the podcast, I've included some inspiring poems, quotes, and a video from the day I learned to walk this past May. I, Vicki Davis (the show host) have made some mistakes in self-care in the past year, and open up about what I've learned from those mistakes and how I'm moving forward to teach better and take better care of myself.

My hope is by being open about my own struggles and by bringing in the research that this show and blog post will help all of us teachers take better care of ourselves. Right now, this topic is more important than any education technology I could be talking about. So, take care of yourselves, teachers, this one's for you.

Sponsor: In today’s show, you learned more about taking care of yourself. You also learned about many courses from Advancement Courses, which has over 280 online graduate-level PD courses in not only self-care but topics for every grade level and subject area. Plus, their courses are self-paced with up to six months to complete. Go to www.advancementcourses.com/coolcat and get your 20% discount by entering the code CAT20 and sign up for your summer PD now. This time last summer I was taking a course in Computer Science that helped me implement a new course and curriculum at our school.

Show Notes and Transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e786

Bio As Submitted: Stephanie Dorsey is an educator service consultant for Advancement Courses specializing in supporting teachers in the recertification and lane advancement process and advises teachers on courses that best match their professional growth needs. As a former special education teacher from Illinois, she worked in both elementary and middle school public and charter school settings for over 18 years.

She received her M.Ed from the University of Colorado Denver in special education. Over the course of her career, she has been particularly interested in training other educators on effective curriculum, RTI, and universal design.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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