All Trotwood-Madison employees have been invited to participate in award winning professional development. Conscious Discipline will help to deepen our social-emotional learning skills and provide intentional tools for regulation. Conscious Discipline is an adult first, transformational, trauma responsive approach to self-regulation that integrates:

• Social and Emotional Learning
• Equitable School Culture
• Theory and Application
• Research and Brain Based Science

We are encouraging ALL Trotwood-Madison staff to participate on this learning journey with us. Bus Drivers, Cafeteria Staff, Nurses, Central Office staff can benefit from this PD. The principles are applicable at work and home. It will improve your interactions with your students and help you to cultivate safe nurturing relationships with others.

Deepen your study of SEL through participation in the 10 e-courses and 10 guided virtual facilitations with CD experts. Join the transformational journey!

Self-care is an important aspect of being an effective educator. School providers are an important resource for students, which places an emotional burden on them at times. Behavioral science research tells us that many of our emotional resources have a limited capacity and function somewhat like a battery. When depleted, they need to be recharged to work best. As a supportive adult, many educators will share in both successes and challenges with their students and may be exposed to discussions of traumatic experiences of their students. Exposure to another person’s trauma can cause secondary/vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and even burnout. To combat these symptoms, we’ve created the following guide to help you better understand warning signs and ways to increase resiliency.

Signs of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout include:

• Bottling up emotions
• Exhaustion
• Absenteeism
• Isolation from others
• Excessive blaming
• Sadness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Lack of flexibility
• Not participating in teamwork.

It’s important to remember that compassion fatigue is a NORMAL response to an ABNORMAL circumstance. We can prevent and intervene early to lessen the impact by building resilience and specific coping skills.

• Take care of your body: Exercise, eat healthy foods, get adequate sleep and drink plenty of water each day.
• Spend time with others whose company you enjoy.
• Seek out comforting and relaxing activities that bring you happiness.
• Schedule this into your day/week.
• Allow others to do things for you when needed—ask for help!
• Take time away from electronics.
• Create a gratitude list of the people, places and things you are thankful for.
• Take 5-10 minutes during the workday to do a mindfulness activity.
• Participate in professional development to re-energize yourself.
• Build in humor, laughter and fun during your day.
• Identify and celebrate the successes for the day, week and month.

Brandy Pledgure, MCESC SEL Consultant

Have you ever heard of Cardio Drumming? Drumming in a group relieves stress, enhances brain function, lessens anxiety, creates joy and improves quality of life. Communicating through rhythms opens the heart to higher vibrations allowing for deep connections to self. Today, drum circles are being revitalized and used with students, including students with disabilities to cross any barrier. Materials do not have to be costly and can be made out of “found materials” or objects found in the classroom. Even just your hands can be used. The practice can be used any time for any purpose and it is something that is all inclusive.

• Relieves Stress
• Enhances Brain Function
• Lessens Anxiety
• Builds Positive Relationships
• Positively Affects Our Immune System
• Helps Students Focus
• Motivates Students
• Stimulates Left and Right Side of the Brain
• Improves Math and Science Skills
• Increases Heart Rate and Blood Flow

Remember after Cardio Drumming, do a cycle of deep breathing in, hold for 4, then out for 4! This helps to transition the body back to a calm regulated state.