Empowering Educator Wellbeing

Kim Bodholdt
May 23
4 min read

Updated: Jul 7

Monthly Newsletter - May 2025

Welcome!!

I’m so grateful you’re here. It's May!!! School is getting out and we all have a variety of feelings about that! Personally, I'm wondering how the year went so fast!!

We all know summer is supposed to be a time to relax, rejuvenate and gear up for another year...but not so fast. Let's do ourselves a favor this summer and savor the things that help us be well. Let's also slow the pace to just breathe...intentionally and fully. My website empoweringeducatorwellbeing.com offers a couple of programs with many wellbeing options. Try some things out, see what works for you! Also explore the fun ideas below for enhancing wellbeing too.

I love the idea of being present. It took me a long time to embrace that idea but I think the part of being present that makes the most sense to me as a wellbeing practice is that, if we are present, we are not worrying about the past or the future, we are in the here and now. It feels good to set aside the past and present and just be here. But it takes practice. Consider starting there. Start by noticing what is right in front of you.

Peace to you,

-- Kim

Summer Book Studies - Sign up by May 31

What Happened to You?

Our earliest experiences shape our lives far down the road. What Happened to You? provides powerful scientific and emotional insights into the behavioral patterns so many of us struggle to understand. This book is a fabulous foundational book for learning about the brain, trauma and humans.

Connections Over Compliance

The developing brains of our children need to "feel" safe. This book deeply addresses the need for co-regulatory and relational touch point practices. It shifts the focus from compliance and obediance in disciplining children to regulating adults using brain aligned, preventive, and relational discipline practices to create safe environments where students can learn and everyone can thrive.

THE DETAILS!

June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28

Via Zoom

What Happened to You? at 3:00 via zoom

Connections over Compliance at 9:00 via zoom

Participants must purchase their own book.

Cost $49

($39 if 6 or more register together)

Email kimbodholdt10@gmail.com with questions.

Tools for thriving...

Be an Emotion Scientist!!

We are all feeling beings who are experiencing emotions every moment of our lives.

Marc Brackett, Founding Director for the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and a professor at the Child Study Center at Yale University, is a lead developer of RULER, an evidence based approach to social emotional learning.

RULER is the five key emotion skills to developing emotional intelligence:

R - recognize emotions

U - understand emotion

L - Label emotions

E - Express emotions

R - Regulate emotion

When we have the emotional intelligence of these five skills we can better care for ourselves emotionally as well as support others. Understanding how you and others are showing up on any given day helps us to be non-judgmental and empathic in our responses both to ourselves and others.

Try the How We Feel? app to track your emotions and investigate which quadrant you are in at any given time as well as look at patterns in your daily life. Be an emotion scientist!

A small thing but a big thing...

What are "Side Quests" and How Can We Use Them for Self-Care?

I subscribe to a email newsletter titled "the good trade". I look forward to reading "the good trade" because it has articles and ideas on a variety of topics, many I wouldn't see any other way than the email newsletter AND if feels like a slice of the good life to me:)

Anyway, a couple weeks ago, I ran across this idea of "side quests" in a article in "the good trade" and I'm gonna try it. I would encourage you to consider trying it too!

The idea behind "side quests" is intentionally taking moments to do something for myself --to slow down, be mindful and do what makes me well. "Side quests are fun activities that disrupt our normal routine and make life more fun and fulfilling." The article suggests intentionally setting time aside one time per week....I'm gonna try one time per month this summer. That's a more reasonable goal for me. What works for you?

Read the story in its entirety here and get some ideas of "side quests" here: https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-are-side-quests/?utm_source=The+Daily+Good&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=read

Tidbits I love...

Quote: Lori Desautel

"There is not a human in this world who does not settle down a bit when they have been heard, seen and felt."

Community Circle Questions:

What lessons can you learn from yesterday?

You've ordered your all time favorite fries...and there is no ketchup....what do you use?

What is one boundary you have set (or want to set) to protect your well-being?

Mindfulness or Focused Attention Practice:

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding

Direct your attention to EXTERNAL AWARENESS

Identify 5 things you can SEE - no matter how big or small

Identify 4 things you can TOUCH - what can you physically feel, whatever it may be

Identify 3 things you can HEAR - audible external or body sounds, not internal thoughts/dialogue

Identify 2 things you can SMELL - if no immediate smells, walk to find a scent, smell your hair, anything

Identify 1 thing you can TASTE - notice the taste inside your mouth

Book, Video or Website:

RevelationsinEducation.com

Lori Desautel, author of Connections over Compliance, Intentional Neuroplasticity and Body and Brain Brilliance, shares many resources, graphics and learning opportunities on her website. It is a go-to for me! Check it out!!!

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