Self-Compassion for Educators: Mindful Practices to Awaken Your Well-Being and Grow Resilience

by Lisa Baylis

There has never been a time in history when educators have felt such overwhelming levels of stress, burnout, and exhaustion. Still, we depend on teachers to be a positive guiding force in our children’s lives – often playing simultaneous roles as educators, parents, mental health counsellors, and caring friends. For educators to fulfill these vital roles, it’s abundantly clear that they need to develop resiliency both inside and outside the classroom.

Written by fellow educator and mindful self-compassion expert, Lisa Baylis, MEd, this book provides educators with simple, accessible, and easy-to-use practices that will inspire them to care for themselves – instead of adding to their chaos – so they can continue doing the profession they love.

Within Self-Compassion for Educators, busy and overwhelmed teachers can learn how to:
Reduce feelings of shame, criticism, and self-doubt
Anchor themselves to the present moment
Develop greater compassion for themselves and others
Mitigate the effects of chronic stress and develop resilience
Cultivate a sense of gratitude
Practice self-care routines that create sustainable well-being
Avoid exhaustion and burnout

Genres: Education

264 pages, Paperback

Published June 15, 2021

Reviews

[Amy Girard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about implementing practices in your daily life to avoid burnout and increase fulfillment in your life and profession.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't read this book entirely, but skipped around here and there. I got it from the library but this is one I will buy to read again. It would be a good book to read as part of a PGP or with other teachers. I also think it'd be a good thing to read in August when preparing for the year. It is really thorough and has lots of ideas for questions to ask yourself, check lists and self-analysis.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource for educators who are in the midst of a number of tumultuous years due to Covid and a scarcity of resources. Baylis provides practical self-care practices that I think are incredibly useful.

[birdztheword · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to hear Lisa Baylis speak during a Professional Day, and despite a healthy amount of audience skepticism toward a self-care focused event, I soon saw a lot of heads nodding in heartfelt participation. When I ran into a colleague afterwards, she teared up as she recounted how challenging our job is and how even more challenging it can be to receive and show ourselves the compassion we give to our students. I left wondering, what is it about self-compassion that makes us so upset? Self-love should be the most natural thing in the world, yet most of us have such an ingrained resistance to it. And that is there the work and this book comes in.

As an educator who has heavily invested in my mental health and well-being out of necessity over the years, I was familiar with most of the concepts in Self-Compassion for Educators, and that is exactly why I would recommend it.

Lisa Baylis takes a Brené Brown-esque relatable and actionable approach to this guide, including vulnerable personal anecdotes, educator testimonials from the field, academic research, and a ton of accessible practices. It’s the teacher stories that I would have loved to see expanded since its focus on educators is what distinguished it from other self-help books for me. However, by not focusing overwhelmingly on educator-specific scenarios, Baylis makes this book applicable to a wider audience of caregivers.

I have experienced the profound effect mindfulness has brought to my life and have also seen it transform people I love. So for those just beginning this journey, or in need of a reset, if you approach the book with true openness to change and genuinely give the practices a try—which, let’s be honest, you, like me, may do in a desperate state of burnout at some point in your career—it may just help you to be able to step out of survival mode and step into a more fulfilling and joyful life.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. I think there are useful practices and some good ideas in here, but I did not enjoy the writing.