LIFE LESSONS From DR. SEUSS: Kindness in the K-5 Classroom

Post-Pandemic Stress Disorder (PPSD) is a new term coined to describe a significant disability some of our colleagues and students experienced in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis. The constant stress, anxiety, and fear experienced during the pandemic caused severe emotional distress many have had difficulty processing. Now more than ever, it is crucial to focus on learning new strategies to cope with this disorder. 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States. It is estimated that 18% of the population struggle with anxiety and depression. The course text by Dr. Drew Ramsey, Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety, aids us in establishing a path toward enhanced mental health through food.

From Behaving to Belonging, The Inclusive Art of Supporting Students Who Challenge Us is a rare book that asks us to find out how some of the most challenging students can benefit most from feeling the power of belonging. 

Social Media and our students - it connects them, yet also divides them. Many questions surround the use of social media in terms of our students:

• How much time on social media is too much?
• What are the effects of social media on students – their brain development, identity, possible addiction, and well-being? 
• Is there a positive side to social media in terms of student use?
• How can we keep our students safe from the negatives of social media, such as cyber-bullying?
• What advice can we share with our students and their parents to make the most of social media?

This class will delve into these questions (and more). You will learned about the positives and negatives about social media, form your own answers to some of these questions, and come away with ways to advise students and parents about the best way to use social media and the best ways to safe safe on social media.

Anxiety, stress, depression, and suicide are on the rise. Is it any wonder that the rise in these afflictions has happened lockstep with the rise in screen time among people of all ages? As educators, we increasingly need to become aware of this growing epidemic whether it is impacting us, our students, or those around us. Together we will explore the impact of screens on our population from birth through adulthood. We will explore the work of Thomas Kersting, Cal Newport, and Simon Sinek. You will learn strategies to optimize technology use both for yourself and those around you. Join us as we disconnect from technology and reconnect with each other. 

Feel stressed? Feel as if there is not enough time in the day to get everything done? Feel as if you always put yourself last? In this course, teachers K-12, you will learn how to balance your life so that you can feel more positive about yourself and teaching, feel better both physically and mentally, and determine your non-negotiables, what to let go of, and how to have a mindset of self-efficacy.

Do you find yourself searching for happiness and never quite reaching it? Have you come to the realization that your health is not what it should be: extra pounds, fast food, and health implications? Healthy living is being offered to help you unleash your own power to recover and harness your energy for full health benefits. Uncover the surprising way in which your body is connected to the afflictions of civilization. Investigate the power of living in a more healthful way through your diet exercise, sleep, reactions to stress, mindfulness, and more. If your goal is to live a long and healthy life to the fullest, then you don’t want to miss out on this course. This course will highlight how the current pressure and stress in modern life have removed us from our biological needs and are making us ill. It is also about how to avoid this distress and find a way to happiness. This course is practical, disarming, loaded with research, and will literally ignite and inspire you to change and Go Wild. If you are looking to manage your stress levels, find more energy, improve your sleep, and sharpen your mental skills, join me for an experience that will help you secure a healthier, happier future. Healthy Living NOW! This course is appropriate for grades K-12 instructors, administrators, parents.

This course meets OSPI's STEM requirements.

Are you overwhelmed with the sheer volume of digital communication each day? This course will help you take advantage of the storage and organization systems available that will simplify your digital life and free up your time. You will learn about personal digital assistants, getting to Inbox Zero, note-taking systems, task management systems, the power of RSS, collaboration tools, and how to bring this suite of efficiency tools all together into one place.

Support kindness, respect for others, an attitude for service and a variety of other positive character traits by learning how to incorporate the literature and themes found in Dr. Seuss books, one of the most beloved of children's authors.

Help children move from complacency to compassion and social responsibility in their interactions with other people. Too often, children miss opportunities to support, encourage, and help those around them.