Healthy Teachers, Happy Classrooms: Twelve Brain-Based Principles to Avoid Burnout, Increase Optimism, and Support Physical Well-Being

by Marcia L. Tate

Bestselling author Dr. Marcia L. Tate delivers 12 brain-based principles for avoiding teacher burnout and increasing health and wellness for teachers. These research-backed strategies will help you thrive personally and professionally. Each chapter digs into the benefits of these self-care and stress management tips and offers suggestions for bringing the practice to life in your classroom. Avoid burnout with these self-care tips for teachers and other

Introduction
Chapter 1: Passion for Your Purpose
Chapter 2: Laughter
Chapter 3: Optimism
Chapter 4: Games
Chapter 5: Movement
Chapter 6: Music
Chapter 7: Calm Surroundings
Chapter 8: Close Personal Relationships
Chapter 9: Nutrition
Chapter 10: Sleep
Chapter 11: Spirituality
Chapter 12: Purpose
Epilogue
References and Resources
Index

Genres: Education

168 pages, Perfect Paperback

Published January 28, 2022

Reviews

[Deb Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for anyone in education! The twelve principles of this book are a vital part of staying physically and mentally healthy as an educator, a physically and mentally draining career. Heck it’s vital to just surviving! We must seek to always remember our purpose as this is what drives us to do what we do and makes it all worthwhile. Passion and purpose were similar principles for me. Laughter should be part of every classroom as it reduces blood pressure, relaxes tense muscles, and stimulates our immune system. I love the acronym of SMILE- show me I’m loved everyday. Optimism should be part of every class as many students come to school lacking in this area. If we stay optimistic students feed off that optimism. Games are part of meeting our five basic needs of life-survival, belonging, love, power, freedom and fun! Movement… if you teach on your feet and not from your seat you will be amazed at how many steps you get in each day. Added bonus is it cuts down on behavior issues because you are moving around the class. Music and calm go hand in hand as you can use calming music in the background to create a sense of calm or you can use music to move to regulate the body and calm emotions. The most important part of any classroom should always begin with relationships. We are wired for connection and need those safe relationships. Rules without relationship=Rebellion.

These principles reminded how important walking and yoga are in my daily life in addition to eating healthy and getting enough sleep. Spirituality can involve time as simple as walking meditation or gratitude journal, but daily prayer sure helps! With the busy and stressful life of teaching, it’s often hard to muster the energy if find time for self-care but this is where we must put boundaries up and prioritize for our own health…this is still a struggle for me. But our mental health impacts our classroom as an unregulated adult can’t regulate an unregulated child! Put your oxygen mask on first!

[Fafani Weinzierl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book! It gave realistic ideas to maintain a healthy lifestyle while working in a highly stressful job. While I don’t reach a classroom of children, I direct the work of many amazing people who do. It was easy to see how these principles can fit my work and how I can impact the teachers I get to work with.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended to me, while initially excited, I’ve read many self help books and so this one felt pretty basic to me. If just starting, this then is a good book. Variety of ideas, nothing earth shattering but good reminders.

[Kathy Mans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good reminders for teaching. The brain science cited in this is fantastic. The author’s presentation live is outstanding. Just an ok read for Professional Learning, since it is a restatement of her presentation.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a new teacher in this field, and this book has shown me a great, bright, and distinguished path. This book, with it's great layout, makes it really easy for the reader to find what they need as soon as possible.
Thank you, Marcia 💜

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Applying new techniques this year to have a happy classroom.