During a follow up session, it was suggested that if teachers can't take a lot of time to formally discuss or check in on their Awareness, that it might be easier--and just as beneficial--to take moments in meetings to do an awareness check. Especially in meetings where you may feel emotionally charged or drained.
John wrote:
For the potential prompts, I think one basic approach can be something along the lines of making a statement “Let’s do an awareness check.” Followed up with a question like:
“What has been our internal experience (thoughts, feelings, etc) within our relationship with this particular student (or group of students)?
How does this inform our understanding of their needs and abilities?
How does it inform us/ me about my understanding of our/ my needs and abilities right now?
How does it inform our understanding of the effectiveness of our/ my current plan/ intention?”
In doing these kind of awareness checks, I have found that often when folks are experiencing strong emotions/ thoughts and are not clear how it informs understanding or plan, it may be a sign of a loss of perspective which is indicative of a need for more clarity within the Awareness realm before being able to effectively move forward with effective interventions.
Other Resources around the concepts of self-care and awareness:
In doing these kind of awareness checks, I have found that often when folks are experiencing strong emotions/ thoughts and are not clear how it informs understanding or plan, it may be a sign of a loss of perspective which is indicative of a need for more clarity within the Awareness realm before being able to effectively move forward with effective interventions.
Other Resources around the concepts of self-care and awareness:
- Essay: Heart of a Teacher--Identity and Integrity in Teaching
- Audio: "The Rest Step" from NPR's I Believe segment
- Article: Getting Unhooked--Connecting with Traumatized Kids Who Push Your Buttons
- Article: The Five Myths of Self-Compassion
