Balancing the Books: Mastering Work-Life Harmony for Educators

Format

Workshop

Presenters

Jewelisa Blanks, Gifts of JoyFollow

First Presenter's Institution

Gifts of Joy

First Presenter’s Email Address

jewelisa@shopgiftsofjoy.com

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Jewelisa Blanks, a respected public speaker and seasoned educator, has devoted her professional life to empowering teachers and students. A proud graduate of The Ohio State University, Jewelisa spent over seven years serving in the public education sector, fostering a deep understanding of the field over her ten years of educational experience. Leveraging her knowledge and experience, she has drawn on cutting-edge emotional health research to affect meaningful change within the education system. Feeling the call for greater impact, Jewelisa transitioned into a full-time educational consultant role, where she continues to collaborate with administrators and district leaders nationwide. She is committed to restoring the whole educator and child by educating teachers on the power of sensory- informed practices and their direct connection to social-emotional learning. Her reach now extends to over 1,500 schools across the United States, and she has trained more than 5,000 educators in her innovative methodologies. Jewelisa's dedication and influence continue to reshape education and student well-being in schools nationwide.

Location

Session Four

Strand #1

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Strand #2

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Relevance

The training aims to help educators define work-life harmony in the unique context of education, engage in peer discussions, explore the latest research studies, develop personalized tools tailored to their needs, and utilize customizable printouts for daily reflections and strategic goal-setting. These objectives are all aimed at enhancing the mental well-being of educators by helping them achieve a balanced life, which in turn can impact their physical health positively. The emphasis on mental well-being, balance, and personalized strategies for maintaining equilibrium aligns perfectly with the goals of Strand - Health: Mental and Physical Health.

Lastly, by helping educators achieve work-life harmony, the training supports the enhancement of emotional skills and emotional intelligence, enabling educators to manage stress, avoid burnout, and communicate more effectively. Achieving work-life harmony can also positively influence the school climate by creating a more relaxed, supportive, and positive environment for educators and students.

Brief Program Description

Explore the delicate art of achieving work-life harmony tailored for educators. Our session merges the insights of both an experienced educator and a licensed counselor, research-backed strategies, and peer discussions.

Summary

Educators will define work-life balance in the education context, engage in beneficial peer group discussions, understand the science behind balance, and develop personalized strategies to ensure ongoing equilibrium in their lives. Educators will seamlessly integrate the learned balance into their daily lives by utilizing customizable tools for daily reflections and strategic goal-setting.

Beyond theoretical knowledge, "Balancing the Books" emphasizes practical, hands-on learning experiences. Educators leave the session with abstract concepts and tangible, usable tools and strategies that they can apply immediately to their lives, creating a direct and positive impact. This comprehensive approach ensures that the learning and balance achieved during the training translate into sustained change and improvement in educators’ lives, fostering a healthier, balanced, and productive educational environment for teachers and students alike.

Evidence

Scholarly articles and studies, such as those from the Journal of Applied School Psychology, highlight the pervasive issue of educator stress and the necessity for work-life balance for optimal teaching efficacy and student outcomes. A study by Herman, et al. (2018) in the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions emphasizes the importance of educator well-being for effective classroom management and positive student relationships. The proposed approaches in this training are supported by evidence-based strategies cited in literature and publications focused on mental health and educator well-being. The utilization of self-assessment tools, peer discussions, and personalized balance strategies has been field-tested through various wellness and mental health programs for educators, demonstrating marked improvements in overall well-being, resilience, and job satisfaction. This training aligns with the documented successful approaches, ensuring that participants are provided with proven, effective strategies for achieving and maintaining work-life balance, ultimately contributing to enhanced personal well-being and improved educational environments.

References:

• Herman, K. C., Hickmon-Rosa, J. E., & Reinke, W. M. (2018). Empirically Derived Profiles of Teacher Stress, Burnout, Self-Efficacy, and Coping and Associated Student Outcomes. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 20(2), 90–100.
• Journal of Applied School Psychology: Special Issue on Teacher Stress and Burnout.

Learning Objective 1

Define and identify aspects of work-life harmony specific to the educational context, gaining insights into personal and professional rhythm.

Learning Objective 2

Engage in productive peer discussions, sharing and learning from diverse experiences to understand the practical application of work-life harmony strategies.

Learning Objective 3

Develop and implement personalized tools and strategies, ensuring consistent reflection and adaptation for maintaining work-life harmony in their daily lives.

Keyword Descriptors

work-life balance, educators, peer discussions, personalized tools, professional equilibrium, daily reflections, strategic goal-setting, maintaining balance, education context, balance strategies

Presentation Year

2024

Start Date

3-5-2024 8:30 AM

Recommended Citation

Blanks, Jewelisa, "Balancing the Books: Mastering Work-Life Harmony for Educators" (2024). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 42.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2024/2024/42