School Social Worker Support for Educators

 Happy Friday! You all have graciously guided our students through another great week of remote instruction. Additionally, you have managed your own anxieties with the pandemic and felt the chaos of society during these turbulent times. While I am sure that most days are positive, we all have our moments. But that's it....they are just moments! It is my firm belief that we must work each day to not allow bad moments to turn into bad days. Learning how to cope and calm down are strategies we can all use to get through challenging moments and to make sure bad moments don't turn into bad days or even bad weeks. Please review the  15 Ways To Calm Yourself Down  article or the "How to Calm Down in 10 Seconds" video below   for strategies you can implement immediately. As always, I am available to provide additional information and support via email or by telephone at 678-984-5022.  Have A Great Weekend!

Seasons Change, Moods Change, Teachers Continue To Inspire It’s reported that about 5% of Americans have seasonal affective disorder (SAD) — a kind of depression that occurs in the winter months, also known as seasonal depression. Somehow, I feel like, with a potential second wave of coronavirus, might increase that percentage just a little. How can people with seasonal affective disorder prep for changes in the season in this already depressing historical moment?  First off, it’s important to establish the difference between SAD, depression in general, and pandemic-induced melancholy. Seasonal depression does have many of the same symptoms as clinical depression — like low energy and mood and sleep troubles — but its isolated phase makes it unique. You can tell it’s SAD, then, and not another issue when someone experiences depressive symptoms at the same time each year in the fall and winter. Seasonal depression (hence the term) is not based on constant chemical imbalance or on diffic

 9 Stress Management Strategies Every Teacher Needs To Know As we settle into the groove of our school year, it is important to keep safeguards in place to manage your stress and maintain positive mental health. Below are nine strategies every teacher can incorporate into their daily routines to be successful. Breathe Properly The classroom can cause sensory overload. Before you know it, your heart rate starts to climb, you break out into a sweat, and your mind races. In these situations, the most effective first step you can take is to breathe deeply. A "4 x 4" technique, which helps them lower physical stress response and regain control. When you're experiencing intense levels of stress, breathe in deeply (put your hands on your stomach and feel it expand out), for four seconds, then exhale evenly for four seconds. Keep this up for 2-3 minutes for maximum effect. Embrace The Stress Whether you think stress is positive, or you think it's negative, you're right. V

What's Going On This Weekend? The purpose of Labor Day is provide a much needed break between the 4th of July and Winter holidays. With, please take this 3-day weekend to re-charge, recalibrate, and re-connect with yourself and your family. Also, while safely social distancing, please be sure to review the link below detailing Perks & Benefits available to DCSD employees. I also want to thank you all for your hard work and dedication during perhaps the most intense and innovative school year ever. We appreciate you and we are inspired by you! Employee Incentives & Perks                                                                  Have A Great Labor Day Weekend!