Courageous EDYOU

Food for thought as you head into the end of the first month of school!

When I taught in Wichita Public Schools, I remember being told frequently that black and Hispanic male students receive the bulk of disciplinary action in the district. This information was then always coupled with the sentiment “We are failing our minority students.”

As a white female who strives to be sensitive to racial and diversity issues, I’ve really struggled with my mixed viewpoints regarding minority students receiving the majority of disciplinary action. I have felt a plethora of emotions ranging from guilt and pity to anger and blame. While I can’t disagree with the notion that public education has systemic flaws resulting in education inequity, I also don’t think that education professionals and the system are fully to blame for the high number of office referrals, suspensions, and expulsions.

I find myself continually asking the challenging question “How can I show compassion and empathy for ALL students while also holding them accountable?”

I decided to finally look for some answers and clarity by interviewing Joseph Shepard, who is running for the "At-Large Member" position on the Wichita School Board. Go read my post to learn about Joseph's take on this issue, and how he plans to create change if elected.

https://www.courageousedyou.com/blog/connection/diminishing-the-racial-divide-between-students-and-teachers

I'm pretty sure I peaked in high school.

Maybe not physically (I sure don't miss my braces 😅), but definitely when it comes to passion and my commitment to helping others.

Back in high school, I was compassionate and focused on a mission which was bigger than myself. Now I feel myself becoming consumed with petty, menial things that cause me to lose focus of the bigger picture.

Read on to see how I'm committing to a life that's focused more on a mission of others instead of on goals that will only benefit me.

Courageous edYOU - How I Peaked in High School And I’m not talking about physically – if you were to look at me now versus back when I was 15, I think it would be safe to say that I’ve come a long way.

With one month of summer left, it's important that we are all indulging in some mental and physical restoration. It's also important that we carry these restorative practices over into the new school year.

I was lucky enough to speak with ex-Kindergarten teacher, now yoga instructor, Kelsea Wright as she shared how she implemented yoga into her school day. Read on to learn how simple aspects of the yoga practice can help restore you on the days where nothing seems to be going right, and make you feel more in control of yourself and your classroom.

Courageous edYOU - Using Yoga to Avoid Teacher Burnout At the corner of Pattie and Lewis in Wichita, KS, you will find a charming yoga studio named Limitless Yoga. An escape from the urban hustle and bustle of downtown Wichita, Limitless is ran by Kelsea Wright, a yoga instructor, entrepreneur, and ex-Kindergarten teacher.

Ooof. This quote has been on my mind constantly this past month. If I'm being honest, June hasn't really panned out how I thought it would. A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about how I wanted to make this summer productive and focus on my priorities...and I have to say that I may be the world's biggest hypocrite right now.

I've allowed my time to be consumed by things that FEEL pressing (i.e. a new summer job and master's classes) but aren't necessarily what I had listed as my TOP priorities.

In turn, I have neglected my blog and all of the personal interests I had hoped to pursue this summer. I've also found that I've been lacking inspiration and motivation to push myself past anything other than the bare minimum.

However. Instead of allowing myself to wallow in self-pity, I'm going to give myself some grace.

And, if there's anyone else who is feeling the same way about their summer, you should give yourself some grace too.

We may not be blooming at the moment, but that doesn't mean we haven't planted some seeds which are about to start sprouting here soon.

It's true that nothing in nature blooms all year. However, a good gardner is still going to tend to the soil and ensure that the seedling is getting the nourishment and care it needs.

In other words - take care of yourself. Know that if you're in a slump, it won't last forever. Know that everything you're doing right now is cultivating something larger...even if it doesn't feel like it.

Know that your season is coming. And that your bloom will be beautiful.

🏆WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!! 🏆

Congrats to Cindy Waters Blasi for winning Courageous edYOU's first giveaway!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated! I can't wait to see what all everyone achieves this summer!

Remember, if you'd like to sign up for our accountability group to help you stay focused and on track this summer, go sign up via the link below!

https://www.courageousedyou.com/resources/summer-accountability-group

☕️📙📚FREE GIVEAWAY AND PRODUCTIVITY BOOSTER!!!☕️📙📚

Recently, I posted about accountability groups and how great they can be in helping you achieve your goals. To keep the productivity juices flowing, I wanted to give away some of my favorite productivity accessories!

Included is a package of Flair pens 🖊 (the unofficial "official" pens of educators), a journal 📙, coffee mug ☕️, and a Starbucks gift card 💵!!!

To win, all you have to do is:

LIKE 👍👍👍👍 this post

COMMENT 💬💬💬💬 one goal that you'd like to achieve this summer

&&&

SHARE 🗣🗣🗣🗣 this post with all of your other friends who could use a productivity boost!

All entries must be submitted by Friday, June 7th, at 11:49 PM!!! You do NOT have to be a teacher to win!!

Good luck, and I can't wait to read what you all are hoping to achieve ☺️

SUMMER IS HERE 🌞🏖🍉🍹!!!

And with it comes the joys of relaxation and rejuvenation. However, if you’re anything like me, you also look forward to using the summer months to work toward your personal and professional goals 👩‍🏫✍️💪.

Every year, my brain is always swarming with a million ways that I’m going to use my summer months…and yet, I rarely achieve half of what I had hoped to once school starts again.

If you relate to this, then go check out my blog post about the Courageous edYOU accountability group! Signing up will provide you with a FREE community of professionals who want to cheer you on and make sure you are continuously working toward your priorities. This group will also provide you with tips, tools, and resources for prioritizing your time and ensuring that you are staying on track with your list of personalized task items.

If you’re interested in joining this community of support and accountability, go check out my blog post and sign yourself up so you can make this summer productive AND relaxing.

Courageous edYOU - Intro to Summer Accountability Group This May marked the beginning of my third summer as a teacher. Typically, when the summer months hit, I feel excited and optimistic about all of the free time I’ll have to pursue both my professional and personal goals. In fact, the excitement and freedom that summer brings is why I waited a while...

Today kicks off summer break for many teachers in the Wichita area ☀️🌸🏖 Comment below one activity you’re going to do, just for YOU!

CALLING ALL PERFECTIONISTS! This one's for you 💛

Talking about growth on the day before summer may cause some educators to roll their eyes. However, this next post has some BRILLIANT insight from an amazing new college graduate, Michaela Heinrich, on how she keeps her mentality focused on growth instead of perfection.

Go give it a read here!

https://www.courageousedyou.com/blog/growth/growth-over-perfection

So excited to feature my first nominated educator, Laura Almquist-Parks from Coleman Middle School! Laura is a counselor at Coleman where she helped spear-head an initiative called “Free-Face Friday,” which is a movement to promote natural beauty. I was so in awe with Laura’s positivity and passion, and am so thankful that Coleman has her in their building.

Please go check out my post featuring Laura and give her some love at:

https://www.courageousedyou.com/blog/empowerment/free-face-friday