Equity and Access Newsletter
Elementary Edition June 2018
Summer Book List
The long-awaited summer break is finally here! It is time for you awesome teachers to have some much needed "me time" - a perfect time to read some of the books that you have been patiently waiting to read. Now is the time to create your summer reading list - books you can read while relaxing in the sun or the comfort of your home. I would like to recommend some books from TeacherPop that you might find interesting. The list contains books for the beach and educational books to get you ready for the 2018-2019 school year. Have a Great Summer!
Summer Reading List for Teachers
“16 Books for Teachers' Summer Reading Lists.” Teach For America, 21 Sept. 2017,
Did You Know?
Mindful Meditation Exercises for Teachers
Clinical psychologist Erin Olivio has found that mindful meditation can reduce stress and boost confidence. Teaching can be hard, and an increasing number of teachers feel pressured and stressed due to increased workloads. Mindful meditation is a technique that causes you to be in the moment. In mindful meditation, you control where your mind goes. For example, you choose to pay attention to your breath or what you hear around you.
A mindful moment involves designating a signal for you to take a mindful moment, like a bell between class, a stop light on the way to work, or a text message. The thought is to bring attention to an ordinary activity and take time to focus and observe your breathing. Take time to focus on inhaling and exhaling a couple of breaths. Next, take inventory of your body to see if you are holding any tension. If you are holding any tension imagine your next breath is traveling to that part of your body and back out when you exhale. As you conclude this technique say to yourself “I am going to be present today,” “I have this,” or “I am going to take things moment by moment.”
Mindfulness of breath is where most people start when they begin a formal meditation practice. It can take five to thirty minutes or more and is best to start with short periods of time. Get in a quiet, comfortable position with your eyes closed.
Focus your attention as a spotlight on whatever you choose. Then direct your spotlight on breathing, notice the movement of your chest as it rises and falls. Then, focus your attention on your abdomen or the air entering your nostrils or month.
A dozen research studies have investigated the positive impact of mindful meditation on teachers and strongly indicate that it can:
- Reduce stress and feelings of burn out.
- Improve emotional health, including self-confidence, empathy, compassion, and patience.
- Enhance teachers’ ability to concentrate and focus.
- Improve health, including reductions in absenteeism.
- Enhance job performance (better classroom management etc).
Olivo, Erin, and Clinical psychologist and author. “Two Simple Mindful Meditation Exercises for Teachers.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 6 Dec. 2015,
What's In Your Tool Box?
It’s Time To Switch Off Your Brain For The Summer
As an Educator, you probably spend the summer worrying about the upcoming year. Instead, try taking some time to develop a positive mindset by setting some goals you can achieve. Neurologist and teacher, Judy Willis, offers some simple steps to build a positive mindset with less anxiety, increased stamina, and expectation of success.
The approach she uses is from the term neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to change or adapt in response to thoughts and experiences.
- Don’t waste mental energy on blame - don’t hold yourself responsible for problematic students and their behavior. Reboot your mindset my realizing that their behavior is not reflective of your teaching skills so do not allow self-doubt to set in.
- Switch from stressful reactions to positive actions - If you have experienced failure in your classroom your brain has set up strong stress response circuits. And it’s time to switch to a motivated mindset. Dopamine, your brain’s chemical, gives you that charge you feel when you have persevered through a difficult situation. You can change your thinking by simply setting for yourself achievable goals. Goals like planting a garden, taking a dance class, or taking a cake decorating class. Any activity that is attainable will build a positive mindset.
- Rewire and repeat - each time you attain your goal, your positive mindset will increase and grow stronger, this will boost your confidence. It is important that you periodically recharge your mindset to maintain a positive expectation and reemerge refreshed for the 2018-2019 school year.
Willis, Judy. “Science of Stress: How Neuroscience Can Help Teachers Switch off This Summer.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 2 Aug. 2015,
Book of the Month
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson, tells the story of the first Juneteenth through the eyes of one little girl. Juneteenth is the day freedom finally came to the last of the slaves in Texas. Juneteenth also known as African American Emancipation Day, is celebrated all over the United States and beyond. All Different Now is beautifully illustrated, gives a timeline of important dates in this nation’s history, and has a glossary of relevant terms.
All Different Now;Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom can be found in Springfield Public Schools libraries.