"A 2019 study found that nearly three-quarters of teachers and 84% of school leaders describe themselves as stressed and more than one-third of education professionals have experienced a mental health issue in the past academic year. Almost half believe their workplace is having a negative impact on their mental health and wellbeing. This book provides educators with an answer to the overwhelm, uncertainty, and concern that is so prevalent in the world of education today. Educators are reminded daily that they must take care of themselves, yet the reality is that self-care and adult SEL just feel like one more thing added to their plates. It's a Way of Being addresses this reality and provides a rationale for leaning into the idea of Educator Social and Emotional Wellness as a way of being. This unique framework is realistic, authentic, and applicable no matter the current educational initiative or program. Additionally, the framework asks educators to consider thoughts, attitudes, actions, and behaviors that are within the realm of their control and way of being, hence empowering them to invest in enhancing their wellbeing without burdening them with extraneous tasks or responsibilities. Included in the book are an educator social-emotional wellbeing checklist that allows readers to determine a baseline understanding of their own strengths and areas in need of growth related to their social-emotional wellbeing, prompts in the form of self-reflection questions, journaling opportunities, and action planning exemplars. Additionally, a process to track, progress monitor, celebrate, and revise tangible objectives is also described"--.
