(Week+11)+Teacher+Inquiry+Developing+as+a+Healthy+Education+Professional


 * Week 11: Teacher Inquiry: Developing as a Healthy Education Professional **

 PLC Group Name: Fantastic 5  PLC Meeting Location: Online and In Person Farish Hall  PLC Meeting Time: 3 hours

 Teachers wear so many hats: counselor, parent, referee, etc. You nurture others all day long, and sometimes, you’re all out of nurturing ability by the time it comes to taking care of yourself!
 *  Hour 1 **
 *  ENGAGE **

 We’ve talked about being a better teacher by inquiring into your own practice. Today we are going to talk about teacher well-being. As an anticipatory set for today’s lesson, please begin read the following article. (As with all readings, it is intended to prompt discussion, not intended to be the only authority on the topic.)  Teacher Wellness: []

**http://www.scribd.com/doc/25759578/Teacher-Wellbeing-A-research-of-the-evidence**  @http://www.youblisher.com/p/7435-Self-Determination-Theory/
 *  EXPLORE **

 Discussion Questions: Why is teacher wellness so important to the success of a teacher? What are some resources that are available for teachers in order for them to be able to function effectively? Are there services at your location that you are aware of?
 *  Hour 2 **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> EXPLAIN **

We Discussed:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> ELABORATE **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How can teachers get and keep a healthy perspective?
 * By keeping up with nutritional needs as well as mental needs helps teachers maintain and keep a healthy perspective.
 * Never be afraid to learn new things, listen to your students, and use your fellow teachers as a support system and resource.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How can humor be used?
 * Humor can be used to keep sanity in the classroom as well as outside of the classroom. Laughing at yourself and seeing the humor in your mistakes allows for you to see what's important. With little children, it is not hard they say the darnedest things; you have to learn to laugh at yourself too. There is a time for silliness and there is a time for seriousness. It is a good idea to break the ice with a joke or laugh, to relieve tension in the students.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How can you interview your potential jobs to understand they kind of work environment and culture that is at that school, and how that would fit with your own personal needs for success?
 * Research not only the school, but talk with the teachers about their experiences. Go out into the community and learn about their culture through festivals, fairs, parades, churches, yard sales, anything that gets you out and meeting your future students. Ask Questions! <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. As a group, reflect on what you have learned today about becoming a healthy educator and maintaining work-life balance. What will it take to keep YOU a healthy, happy professional educator? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> • Engaging in personal hobbies? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> • Remaining involved in your church? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> • Planning time to see friends? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> • Getting up at 5:30 to run every morning? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> • Continued professional development on areas that spark your curiosity? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> • Making a commitment to getting work done at work and not bringing it home? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> What choices will you make? Where will you draw boundaries? How can you beat the odds of 1/3 of teachers leaving the field by the 5-years point?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Hour 3 **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> EVALUATE **

We model expectations for our students. We think that it is important to make healthy and positive choices when working with children. They see everything that we do. Some of the teachers at my school eat lunch with their students so they can model a healthy lunch. We also think that the students should be taught that physical fitness is important for them to stay healthy. Playground time or free time is a great time to discuss the importance of physical fitness.

Maintaining a work-life balance is sometimes stressful. Being positive, staying fit and eating healthy can help curb the stress. As professionals, we must always remember to keep our professional life and personal life separate. As an educator, we do wear a lot of different hats. We think that we are truly underpaid for all of the professions that we possess.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. As a group, draft a brief statement (approx 1-2 paragraphs) of what you learned or new understandings you came to during this discussion. What did you agree with/about, and what did you not agree with/about? How do you KNOW you learned and grew?!

//**  **We think our jobs require a lot of our time outside the school, AND sometimes we do take our jobs home with us. As good teachers, we must remind ourselves to stay focus and stay calm. We agree that we in order to be healthy and happy professionals we must find something to put our minds at ease.**   **// //**  **We agree with having a hobby or something that will trigger our personal interest. We think we would go out for a jog early in the morning to start my day off right and full of energy. That way we know we would be ready for anything the day brings my way.**  **//

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Individually, it is time to register to present at the QUEST Teacher Research Symposium. Registration is simple, and REQUIRED! Just go to this link and enter your name, email, and general presentation topic (your wondering!): []

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 4. Individually, please send your “PLC Check” as an email to Dr. Pierson and Caroline: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> --What/Who worked well in today’s PLC meeting? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> --What/Who didn’t work so well in today’s PLC meeting?