Arkansas A.W.A.R.E.

Distinguishing Self-Care and Resilience Last week you heard an episode that was recorded live at the Coordinated School Health Conference. Today we pick up the conversation by talking more about resilience and how it harmonizes with self-care. We also wonder, is “self-care” a dirty word now? Something you dread? We’re curious. Let us know! You can watch the recorded sessions from the CSH meeting h...

AWARE CSH Live Podcast Tune in for a live episode of DESE’s #1 podcast: Arkansas AWARE. Join Betsy, Nicole, and Stacy as they consider: What do we really mean when we say Resiliency in Education? Are we adding to an educator’s already lengthy to-do list? The Arkansas AWARE is a project to advance wellness and resiliency in education. The goal of the Arkansas AWARE program is to inform and provide...

Thought Records Stacy and Betsy discussed how difficult it can be to identify negative thinking and some of the reasons why. As a result, Nicole broke out a thought record. Today we walk through how they work and how they can be helpful to young people. Join us, and try it for yourself! Welcome to season 3 of Arkansas A.W.A.R.E.! Join Betsy Kindall, Nicole Fairchild, and Stacy Moore as they discus...

Automatic Negative Thoughts Nicole used a resource from Dr. Amen for years and years when we provided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to young people. It’s called Mind Coach: How to Teach Children & Teenagers to Think Positive & Feel Good. Today we talk about why this resource was a keeper in practice and how the concepts can be helpful in our classrooms. Welcome to season 3 of Arkansas A.W.A...

Seasonal Depression Are you ready for some sunshine!? So are we! Today we talk about different types of depression with a focus on seasonable depression. We’ll talk about why sunshine is so important, and why it seems to get more difficult to maintain our healthy coping skills in the bleak mid-winter. Welcome to season 3 of Arkansas A.W.A.R.E.! Join Betsy Kindall, Nicole Fairchild, and Stacy Moore...

An Introduction to Depression It’s winter time, so it seems reasonable to take a look at depression. In today’s episode we lay out the diagnostic criteria for a depressive disorder. We talk about what it can look like in children and teens, and how it is different than sadness, grief, or bad days. Welcome to season 3 of Arkansas A.W.A.R.E.! Join Betsy Kindall, Nicole Fairchild, and Stacy Moore as...

Regulate, Relate, Reason Today we talk about Dr. Bruce Perry’s work and the Neurosequential Model. https://www.neurosequential.com/ We have read Dr. Perry’s books, including The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog and What Happened to You?, and we love the perspective the Neurosequential model brings to the table when it comes to managing students in the classroom. Dr. Perry reminds us that we have to sta...

Dopamine and Anxiety In this episode we discuss some of the information we’ve recently read about the work of dopamine in our bodies and how it might be related to mental health. We’re certainly not experts in this but we do see some ways this may be impacting us and our students. Join us as we process through our reactions to and thoughts about this research. The researchers we tuned in to are Dr...

Anxiety Reducing Strategies  Welcome to season 3 of Arkansas A.W.A.R.E.! Join Betsy Kindall, Nicole Fairchild, and Stacy Moore as they discuss issues related to mental health in education. Their conversations are witty and relate-able, simultaneously shedding light on issues that can sometimes be hard to confront or understand. These episodes are chunked into small bites and packed with informatio...

Strategies for Students with Anxiety in the Classroom We’ve talked a lot about anxiety this season. Are you looking for some practical things that might help in your classroom? Betsy, Stacy and Nicole dive into some of their favorite skills and suggestions to help you address anxiety in your classroom. We’ve also developed a list of books we have found useful in addressing anxiety with younger stu...

Dr. Michael Mrazek - Finding Focus Betsy and Nicole have a conversation with Dr. Michael Mrazek. Dr. Mrazek is a research scientist at UC Santa Barbara where he serves as the Director of Research at the Center for Mindfulness & Human Potential. This two-part interview is centered around "Finding Focus". Finding Focus is a digital course for teens created by UC Santa Barbara & UT Austin. Th...

Dr. Michael Mrazek - Finding Focus Betsy and Nicole have a conversation with Dr. Michael Mrazek. Dr. Mrazek is a research scientist at UC Santa Barbara where he serves as the Director of Research at the Center for Mindfulness & Human Potential. This two-part interview is centered around "Finding Focus". Finding Focus is a digital course for teens created by UC Santa Barbara & UT Austin. Th...

Anxiety and Self-Awareness Stacy and Nicole discuss what anxiety can looks like in the classroom, and how it self-awareness can help students to develop the skills they need to manage their emotions. To learn more about Social and Emotional Learning, check out the GUIDE for Life podcast. The anxiety books we’ve been reading are How to Rewire Your Anxious Brain by Pittman & Karle, and The Anxio...

The Third Quarter Betsy introduces Stacy & Nicole to the concept of the Third Quarter Phenomenon. It is a pattern that has been observed in those who have been in isolation for a long time. Near the end they start experiencing changes in mood and relationships. The article from Time can be found here: https://time.com/5942577/third-quarter-covid-19-pandemic-advice/ .....but no surprise, Stacy...

Incorrect Conclusions Some might say that anxiety could be boiled down to incorrect conclusions. Somewhere along the way you learned a lesson, but came to a wrong conclusion. What does this mean and could it be true for you? The anxiety books we’ve been reading are How to Rewire Your Anxious Brain by Pittman & Karle, and The Anxious Truth by Linsalata. Welcome to season 3 of Arkansas A.W.A.R.E...

Understanding the Cortex & the Amygdala When we’re talking about anxiety it is helpful to think of 2 systems at work – the thinking brain and the survival brain – or the cortex and the amygdala. Today we’ll describe the 2 and how they may better prepare you to pick a strategy that will actually help you to combat anxiety or stress. The anxiety books we’ve been reading are How to Rewire Your An...

Scary Cat and How Anxiety Spreads What is it about anxiety that makes it want to grab hold and spread throughout our lives? Nicole tells a story that is perfect for this time of year. Don’t be scared, it’s a good one. The anxiety books we’ve been reading are How to Rewire Your Anxious Brain by Pittman & Karle, and The Anxious Truth by Linsalata. Welcome to season 3 of Arkansas A.W.A.R.E.! Join...

Defining Anxiety What do we mean when we talk about anxiety? How much is normal? We’re going to dive into anxiety for the next few episodes and we’ve been reading How to Rewire Your Anxious Brain by Pittman & Karle, and The Anxious Truth by Drew Linsalata. Welcome to season 3 of Arkansas A.W.A.R.E.! Join Betsy Kindall, Nicole Fairchild, and Stacy Moore as they discuss issues related to mental...

What is the Difference Between Resilience and Powering Through? Do you know the difference? We talk about how so many people seem to think they are the same. But you know us, we’re going to pull on that string and see what unravels. Join our discussion as we clarify our perspective on resilience. Welcome to season 3 of Arkansas A.W.A.R.E.! Join Betsy Kindall, Nicole Fairchild, and Stacy Moore as t...

How Are Your Students Doing? We have intentionally focused a lot on teacher wellbeing, but today we stop to discuss how are students are doing as we return to another school year in a pandemic. We look at how we can build rapport, stay in tune, focus on relationships and how that will enhance learning. Welcome to season 3 of Arkansas A.W.A.R.E.! Join Betsy Kindall, Nicole Fairchild, and Stacy Moor...

Why Do We Avoid Help? What keeps us from getting the help we need? What are the obstacles? How much does stigma play a role in the avoidance to admit need or reach out? Do people even know what to expect from mental health services? We grapple with this and more in today’s episode. Welcome to season 3 of Arkansas A.W.A.R.E.! Join Betsy Kindall, Nicole Fairchild, and Stacy Moore as they discuss iss...

Looking for Resources? Today we discuss multiple resources including: Access to mental health care through the EAP: https://www.ndbh.com/ or Better Help: https://www.betterhelp.com/therapists/ar/ The dedicated line at Better Help for Arkansas Public School Employees: 1-877-300-9103. Teacher self-care resources including this one: https://adesandbox.arkansas.gov/project?v=fNjZkMGVlMDllNTAwMmUzMDE3M...

Back to School In this episode Betsy, Stacy & Nicole discuss their summer reading and revelations. Welcome to season 3 of Arkansas A.W.A.R.E.! Join Betsy Kindall, Nicole Fairchild, and Stacy Moore as they discuss issues related to mental health in education. Their conversations are witty and relate-able, simultaneously shedding light on issues that can sometimes be hard to confront or understa...

ADE Summit 2021 - Teacher Self Care Join Besty, Nicole and Stacey for a replay of their presentation during the ADE Summit on 6/23/2021 centered around teacher self care. Link to the Power Point presentation Marc Brackett Arkansas A.W.A.R.E. website Produced by Donnie Lee Music: https://www.purple-planet.com More information: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/communications/dese-podcasts

Our Summer Reading List We didn’t list any “fluffy beach novels” … but here are the books we mentioned! Have a WONDERFUL summer! The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown How Emotions are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge and Thomas Nelson The Bomber Mafia by Mal...