It’s Summer!
In yoga classes, we start out by offering an intention to our students. This word/idea/phrase is something that can be used throughout class to focus your energy and therefore your results.
Teachers have a unique situation - summer vacation is like a mini New Year’s. Here’s an opportunity to set some goals, make a new start, and create a word of the summer. I’m offering the idea of INTENTION to you.
Make each day and each activity intentional. Even if you’re catching up on your Netflix or your favorite series from the library, sink into each day and activity with the knowledge that this is exactly what you’re supposed to be doing.

QUOTE:  "Teachers:  We need you to focus on your mental wellbeing during the summer with the same intensity and intention that you focus on your students during the school year. "  ~Matt Weld

At every moment, the future starts.
I would urge you to be intentional in three areas this summer.

1. Movement: Walk, dance while no one is looking, swim, hike, whatever you like to do.
2. Unplug and Connect: Decrease the amount of time spent on your phone and increase the amount of time spent with friends and family IRL (in real life).
3. Embrace the Silence: See if you can find at least 30 minutes each day where you have nothing else coming in - no TV, no music, no other people, etc. - and just be with yourself. This could be while you’re driving, walking, or cooking dinner.

This summer, try this: Schedule time for each of these three things everyday. Put them on your calendar, tell your family about them, and cross them off when you’re done. 

EDUCATOR RESOURCE:  68 Fun Summer Activities - Some of these aren’t so practical, and certainly seem like a lot of work. But then there are ones that involve eating and playing that certainly sound like fun!

DAD JOKE:  I'm a social vegan.  I avoid meet.

Have a fantastic summer! Jumpstart will jump back in the first week of September.
Keep in touch over the next couple of months - I’ll be in the office or at one of our events for most of the time, although visiting family in Montana, California, and Georgia is also on the list.
~ Matt Weld, ROE #40 SEL Coach

Huge Shout-Out to all our school nurses, especially during these last couple of years with increased health protocols!

Saturday, 5/14 is National Buttermilk Biscuit Day. Our family always talks about our Deserted Island Food List (if you could only have 10 foods for the rest of your life list). Biscuits would be near the top of mine. I don’t have a preferred recipe for these since they are a pain in the hiney to make. I just use the frozen ones in the blue bag.
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QUOTE:  When you outsource self-love to others, then you're in trouble.  ~Sara Kuburic

Self Acceptance and Self Love are foundational to our ability to accept and love others.
We can’t love others until we can love ourselves. We can be accepting of others until we can accept ourselves.
In a podcast I listened to this week (linked below), they were talking about how the Millennials and Gen Z’ers don’t have the skills to identify their own emotions. The guest on the podcast was a Millennial and a therapist.
Instead of sitting with themselves and learning who they are, they look to their phones and social media for validation.
But there is a difference between being noticed on social media and being acknowledged, between being liked and being validated. Validation and acknowledgement really come from in-person interactions.
This week, try this: Why do you pick up your phone? Is it because you’re feeling the twinge of boredom, or angst, or ‘something’? Next time, stop and think about WHY you want to retreat into your phone. Sit with it and accept it, because that’s all part of accepting and ultimately loving yourself. 

EDUCATOR RESOURCE:  A Bit of Optimism Ep 43: Setting Boundaries with Sara Kuburic. Today’s quote appears at the 27:12 mark, and the idea of validation vs. acknowledgement at 24:45. Overall, it’s an interesting exploration of boundaries, social media, and Millennials - with a Millennial. 

DAD JOKE:  I'm not passive aggressive.  Unlike *some* people!

Have an excellent week!

Everyone has a mother! No matter what other differences there are, we can all connect with the experience of having a mother.  One of the first relationships we form is the trust between mother and child. Where that goes from there may be another story, but learning to trust starts very young.

QUOTE:  A healthy relationship is built on unwavering trust.  ~Beau Mirchoff

With TRUST, there are two roles, trustor (the one who trusts) and trustee (the one who is trusted).
The trustor gives up control over actions that will be performed by the trustee some time in the future.
At this time of year, the relationships you have formed with students over the course of the year are fully realized, and the trust that you have built has come to fruition. Unfortunately, that all starts over again in August.
Often trust happens as a way for our brain to find solutions to problems that would otherwise take too much energy. For example, we trust the cafeteria will make meals for the kids, otherwise we would be micromanaging and worrying.
This week, try this: Think of all the interactions that require trust in your daily life. Attach a face to each of those relationships, and extend gratitude to those people. Hopefully, you’ll find there’s a lot more good in the world than it seems.
EDUCATOR RESOURCE:  10 Trust-Building Exercises for Kids. We’ve probably all been to some sort of retreat, or summer camp, or college class and participated in trust exercise. Here’s a whole list that may make it into a field day somewhere… (Personally, I never like them, but that’s neither here nor there.)

DAD JOKE:  Happy Mother's Day to all the teachers who have been called 'Mom' at least once.   Even as a male teacher, I've been called 'Mom' many times.