For Educators and Campus Leaders

Everyone needs breaks and a regular emphasis on self-care!  We can take care of others best when we take care of ourselves first.

We have a number of self-care resources and tips below for educators:

• Self-care assessment (updated April 2020)
• Self-care plan (worksheet)
• Self-care tips (updated April 2020)
• Consider finding a self-care buddy to ensure that you both are using your self-care strategies often!

Use emotional check-ins during team meetings to understand where team members are coming from either by using a mood meter in a team meeting and asking for participants to share out or sharing a Weekly Emotional Check-In Survey via Google Form (please copy and rename the form before using).

Virtual Calming Corner

Dallas ISD's Counseling Services Department has created a virtual calming corner to provide tools and resources for managing feelings and emotions, thus supporting mental health.  Staff, students, and families are encouraged to visit the virtual calming corner and use as needed!

• Disclaimer: The virtual calming corner and related links on the website are purely for educational purposes and are not intended as psychological interventions or as a substitute for psychological treatment. If you are in need of psychological help you should seek the consultation of a licensed mental health professional. This is only meant to be a free resource provided for students, parents, and community members.

Promoting Collaboration and Building Healthy Teams

Apply SEL Signature Practices during virtual meeting times to continue building positive relationships among team members and fostering connections during this challenging time. 

• Watch recent webinars, Taking SEL Virtual for Adults or Taking SEL Virtual for Students, from our team in partnership with the Personalized Learning Department.  

See our list of SEL Signature Practice examples below to cultivate engagement, positive connections, and a sense of security and belonging in all meetings, professional development sessions, and classes.

Relevant Articles

Why You Should Ignore All That Coronavirus Productivity Pressure  (The Chronicle of Higher Education)

Teacher, Interrupted: Leaning Into Social and Emotional Learning Amid the COVID-19 Crisis (EdSurge)

A Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching Through the Coronavirus (Teaching Tolerance)

Social-Emotional Learning Should Be Priority During COVID-19 Crisis (National Education Association)

Podcasts

Dr. Marc Brackett and Brené on "Permission to Feel" (57 minutes; Unlocking Us with Brené Brown Podcast)

A Social Prescription: Why Human Connection is Crucial to Our Health (49 minutes; Hidden Brain)

Advice for Dealing with Uncertainty, From People Who've Been There (19 minutes; Life Kit)

How Culturally Relevant Teaching Can Build Relationships While Students Are Home (20 min; MindShift)

For Students, Parents, and Caregivers

Visit Dallas ISD's At Home Learning website for SEL resources for students and families (available in both English and Spanish).

• SEL Resources are listed under the "Helpful Parent Resources" section (on the left-hand side of the page)

Review our list of Ten Things to Support SEL at Home.