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Kevin McNicholas

SEL and Self-Care

School Social Worker

Mental Health Counselor and SEL Coach

Gillespie Community Unit School District 7

No two days are ever the same for me, and that is my favorite part!

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Agenda

Focus on Community & Belonging Component: SELF-CARE
Activities to build relationships & Community

Turn and Share
Your New Folders

Exit ticket: Write and Rip

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I was ready to walk away,

And then my wife showed me

this meme…

I was already mentally out the door when I walked into this room 4 years ago!

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Thought Partners/Sharing:

Tell Us Your Successes!

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My Mistakes:

Mistake #1: Assuming too much personal responsibility

*What we are REALLY doing in schools right now…

Mistake #2: Setting my SEL goals unrealistically high

*Positivity spreads! (So does negativity.)

How much do YOU really care what your 3 crabbiest co-workers think about “this new SEL thing”??

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Save to Read on a Day When You Feel Like Everyone Hates You Folder:

Directions

Grab a Folder!
Write “Save to Read on a Day When You Feel Like Everyone Hates You” in the tab at the top!
Talk to your table about what you are planning to put in here!
Share out!
Why this works so well: It’s hard not to be grateful when you can sit and look at your “highlight reel” right in front of you!
When to use it: Anytime you have an exceedingly rough day, or just want to practice a little gratitude!

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Classrooms are spots where confused and hurt kids go to get their emotional needs met.

Love is what our kids need to go and do something with their lives.

We experience a LOT of trauma from the children who also experience it and share it with us!

We have to make sure we are caring for ourselves (since no one mentioned this to us during teacher school!)

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I wish my teacher knew / I wish my co-workers knew…

How can we reframe our stress and trauma that we have internalized to help us come together as a team, rather than keep fighting the same internal battles?

WRITE AND RIP ACTIVITY: Do this with your staff, it really works!