Module Introduction
This quote highlights something easier said than done for many educators, particularly for those of us who were taught to be hard on ourselves in order to succeed. We are often easier on and even kinder to others than we are ourselves. How do you treat yourself after a challenging moment in the classroom? Are you kind and forgiving or overly critical of yourself? Do you lie awake at night ruminating on mistakes from the day, or ones that happened long, long ago? Are you afraid to try something new because you might fail or face harsh criticism—perhaps from others, but mainly from yourself?
What would happen if, in all these scenarios, you chose to, as Brene Brown suggests, “talk to yourself as you would someone you love?”
Self-compassion, or extending kindness and compassion to ourselves, has been shown to protect educators from burnout. Indeed, self-compassion can help lessen the mental pain that we inflict on ourselves when we bully rather than love ourselves. Self-compassion can also help to improve our teaching, by reducing stress, improving emotion regulation, and even promoting teaching practices that lead to more autonomy and motivation for students.
Spark Interest – Self-compassion break
We invite you to try this self-compassion break [3:10], to experience what self-compassion feels like in your body.
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/video/item/how_to_be_kinder_to_yourself
Reflection
- How did it feel to practice self-compassion? Was it challenging, surprising, comforting, or something else?
Learning Objectives
In this module we will:
- Identify the elements of self-compassion and the research behind it
- Distinguish between self-compassion and self-esteem
- Discover the fierceness of self-compassion – how it is not weak
- Consider how self-compassion can support our teaching
- Explore how to build our self-compassion muscles
Module Resources
This toolkit includes additional resources, including classroom lessons and practices organized by developmental level, staff meeting activities, videos, podcasts, articles, and professional learning opportunities, as well as supporting materials for group facilitation on the topics of "Self-Compassion for Adults" and “Self-Compassion for Students”.
Individual Exploration
Self-compassion is a way of reining in our inner critic, replacing it with a voice of support, understanding, and care for oneself. As a wise sage once said, “If you are in a dark room, don’t beat the darkness with a stick. Rather, turn on the light.” In other words, just gently and patiently replace a negative thought about yourself with a positive one. This simple process has been found to improve the well-being of educators.
What is Self-Compassion?
In this first segment, learn how self-compassion is defined by researchers, along with the components of self-compassion and its relationship to self-esteem. [4:22]
Reflection
- How would you describe self-compassion?
- Which elements of self-compassion do you resonate with most (i.e., mindfulness, common humanity, kindness)? Why?
- What is something you are experiencing that you might consider as common to humanity right now? What emotions are coming up for you around that? What would you say to a friend to support them? Turn that around, and now say that to yourself.
Why Is Self-Compassion Important for Educators?
This next video shares why self-compassion is so important for educators to practice. [6:32]
Reflection
- What emotions or thoughts arise when you think about being kinder and gentler to yourself?
- What are some specific situations in which you can use self-compassion to improve your mental and emotional well-being?
How Educators Can Practice Self-Compassion
In this final video, learn some self-compassion practices. [5:54]
Reflection
- After learning a bit more about self-compassion, how self-compassionate do you think you are?
- Are you more compassionate towards yourself in some areas of life, compared to others? Can you identify a few areas of life where you are especially critical of yourself as a parent, at work, or elsewhere?
- What additional resources or support might you need to deepen your practice of self-compassion?
Links from video
How to Be Kind to Yourself in Professional Experiences (adult) A written reflection exercise to help identify times at work when self-compassion might be helpful. (10 minutes)
Self-Compassionate Letter for Adults (college, adult) Write a kind letter to yourself about a challenge you are facing. (less than 15 minutes)
Mindful Self-Compassion for Adults (college, adult) A mindfulness practice to help you experience the self-compassion that naturally exists within you, and consider the simple ways that you care for yourself each day. (less than 15 minutes)
Take a Self-Compassion Quiz!
Consider taking this quiz to see your tendencies towards being kind to yourself. Self-Compassion Quiz | Greater Good
After you complete the quiz, you will receive more information about self-compassion and some strategies to try.
Module Resources
This toolkit includes additional resources, including classroom lessons and practices organized by developmental level, staff meeting activities, videos, podcasts, articles, and professional learning opportunities, as well as supporting materials for group facilitation on the topics of "Self-Compassion for Adults" and “Self-Compassion for Students”.
Use the handout “Self-Compassion Letter” to help you write a letter to yourself offering support. Notice how you feel after you write the letter.
Group Facilitation
Before facilitating groups, spend time in individual exploration in order to experience and embody the learning. And if you haven’t yet explored our introduction to SEL in California, make sure you explore those resources.
Module Resources
This toolkit includes additional resources, including classroom lessons and practices, staff meeting activities, videos, podcasts, articles, and professional learning opportunities, as well as supporting materials for group facilitation on the topics of "Self-Compassion for Adults" and “Self-Compassion for Students”.
A revisable, turnkey powerpoint slide deck to use for professional learning sessions on the topic of "Self-Compassion for Educators".
A powerpoint slide deck with welcoming and closing activities to include in professional learning sessions.
Use the handout “Self-Compassion Letter” to help you write a letter to yourself offering support. Notice how you feel after you write the letter.
“I love myself. The quietest. Simplest. Most powerful. Revolution. Ever.”
Do you want to dive deeper into the science behind our GGIE practices? Enroll in one of our online courses for educators!
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