Mood Swings

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Happy Friday!

I am writing this on a Thursday night, with energy reserves drained, overstimulated, and in a post-Halloween daze. It’s the type of feeling only teachers can understand. If you’re reading this, you made it out alive. Congratulations. As tiring as Halloween is at school, there were many smiles, a costume walk, and good fun in my Crew (homeroom).

I hope you have a wonderful, restful weekend. You deserve it.

Reflection Questions for This Week:

1. How can you incorporate media arts into your teaching to enhance student engagement and creativity? What specific project or lesson could you develop using the PBS resources mentioned?
2. Reflecting on the quote by Henry Thomas Buckle, how can you shift more of your conversations towards discussing ideas rather than people or events? What impact might this have on your personal and professional growth?
3. Considering the research on blood sugar fluctuations and mood, what changes could you make to your diet to potentially improve your mental well-being? How might these changes affect your performance and interactions in the workplace?

This week, I am happy to share Randy Wendt's “earned wisdom.” I’ve known Randy for my entire education career (26 years). He’s wise, a lifelong learner, and takes his health and wellness seriously. He is an excellent example of living the Why Edify way.

Every educator has a story and something to share with other teachers. Collaboration is one of the best forms of professional development. There’s a great deal to learn from his responses below.

Earned Wisdom: Randy Wendt on Holistic Education, Student Impact, and Teacher Well-being

Discover Randy Wendt’s insights on holistic education, student impact, and teacher well-being in this inspiring “Earned Wisdom” feature. Learn valuable tips for creating a positive classroom environment, maintaining work-life balance, and leaving a lasting impression on students’ lives.

WHY EDIFYJeremy Jorgensen

1

Turnover Rates

I've always thought a four-day school week would positively affect teacher turnover and overall job satisfaction. However, a new study reveals that adopting a four-day school week may not effectively reduce teacher turnover as intended. Turnover rates increased by about four percentage points in the long term. Despite the growing popularity of four-day weeks among districts, parents, and educators, the research suggests that salary differentials and the diminishing novelty of the schedule may negatively impact retention. While four-day school weeks remain a small portion of U.S. school systems, the study highlights the need for careful consideration of potential trade-offs when implementing such schedules for teacher retention.

2

Lights, Camera, Action

Using media arts in the classroom can boost student engagement and spark creativity. Explore this collection of PBS videos to find creative ways to incorporate media arts into your instruction.

3

Mood Swings

Imagine your mood swings as a rollercoaster ride driven by your blood sugar levels - this is the connection researchers have uncovered between diet and mental health. Recent studies reveal that blood sugar fluctuations after eating play a crucial role in anxiety and depression, with high glycemic index foods potentially worsening mood disorders. By adopting strategies to stabilize blood sugar, such as choosing low glycemic index carbohydrates and mindful meal planning, you have a tool to improve your health and well-being.

4

Ideas

"Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people." - Henry Thomas Buckle

5

Teacher Commuter Playlist - Hard to Handle Patti Drew

Choose Your Own Adventure

• Book Suggestion: "The Innovator's Mindset" *(#ad) by George Couros - Couros encourages educators to harness technology and innovation to drive engagement and empower students. This book provides a blueprint for transforming school culture and creating learning experiences that prepare students for the future.
• This is a gigantic EdTech resource from Quizizz.
• How We Feel is a free well-being journal created by science, design, engineering, and psychology experts. This tool helps you learn precise words to describe your emotions, identify personal patterns, and develop healthy emotional regulation strategies. Over time, you'll gain insights into your feelings and acquire practical techniques to manage your emotional well-being effectively.
• How does your teacher look compare to this?

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