41: How a School Leader Creates the Conditions for Healing

09/25/23 • 52 min

Guest Anitra Gallegos is the Principal of the Panorama Middle School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Summary

As a passionate and dedicated principal, Anitra is committed to addressing trauma and creating a culturally responsive and trauma-informed environment in her school. She believes that all students can learn and succeed, and she is always looking for ways to improve their education. She is a strong advocate for her students, and she is committed to addressing trauma and promoting wellness in her school community. She is also a strong advocate for her faculty, and she believes they should be remembered for making a difference in education rather than just teaching content.

Listen for how Anitra puts her three “I’s” to work

• Integrity

• Instruction

• Inspiration

Connect with Anitra

Email: [email protected]

School website: https://www.hsd2.org/pms

Guest Anitra Gallegos is the Principal of the Panorama Middle School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Summary

Listen for how Anitra puts her three “I’s” to work

• Integrity

• Instruction

• Inspiration

Connect with Anitra

Email: [email protected]

School website: https://www.hsd2.org/pms

Previous Episode

40: Nurturing Student and Educator Well-Being

Our Guest

A lifelong educator, Michelle Trujillo M.Ed is a Co-Founder of the Center for Learning and Well-Being and is known to make a tangible, sustainable, and positive difference through her books, speaking engagements, and interactive workshops. Named Nevada’s 2016 Innovative Educator of the Year, Michelle has appeared on television (including Oprah), podcasts, and radio nationwide. Michelle partners with school districts, professional educational associations, educational service agencies, and conference organizers to provide relevant answers to future-facing challenges. Michelle’s books include Social Emotional Well-Being for Educators (Corwin, 2022), Thriving through Adversity: Powerful Strategies for Educators to Ignite Hope, Inspire Students and Transform Schools (Center for Learning and Well-Being, 2022), and Start with the Heart: Igniting Hope in Schools Through Social and Emotional Learning (Corwin, 2019).

Summary

In a conversation about the challenges and well-being of educators, Michelle, a former teacher and principal, emphasized the importance of educational leaders understanding and supporting the well-being of their teachers to meet the academic and emotional needs of students effectively. She also introduced a framework for well-being that focused on six components: being reflective, intentional, empathetic, connected, accountable, and equitable.

Key points

Mental Health and Wellness for educators. (5:06)

The importance of social-emotional well-being for educators. (9:38)

Michelle’s six-part framework for social-emotional well-being. (13:42)

The importance of being accountable to ourselves. (16:19)

Creating a community of care and collective responsibility. (20:28)

Strategies to nourish your well-being. (25:25)

How to promote well-being. (33:05)

What we learned from the interview. (34:47)

Leveraging strengths and opportunities for growth. (40:12)

Connect with Michelle

[email protected]

www.centerforlearningandwellbeing.org

amazon.com/author/michelletrujillo

Video Clips

Keynote Clip: Collective Efficacy

Corwin Clip: Start with the Heart

Resources referenced in the interview

Framework for Educator Well-Being (PDF)

Social-Emotional Well-Being Check-in (PDF)

Next Episode

42: A Servant Leader Approach to Enhancing Well-being in Schools

Guest Dr. Kelvin Butts is the Superintendent of Benton Harbor, MI, area schools and a lifelong educator, having served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Summary

Our discussion touched upon trauma and mental health issues in the Benton Harbor Area Schools, emphasizing the need for mental health initiatives for both teachers and students. The importance of leadership philosophy and growing leaders within the district was highlighted, focusing on equity and addressing barriers through strategic planning and partnerships. The conversation also delved into education, neuroscience, and self-improvement through self-reflection and student feedback, ultimately emphasizing the significance of psychological safety, community engagement, and building alliances in education.

Key Topics

School leadership, trauma, and community support in Benton Harbor. (2:27)

Leadership, transparency, and building relationships in a school district. (9:26)

Mental health and wellness support for students and teachers in Benton Harbor. (14:25)

Addressing barriers to education and mental health support. (20:54)

Education, neuroscience, and teacher training. (27:39)

Self-reflection and improving teaching methods. (31:17)

Education, vulnerability, and agency in the classroom. (38:07)

Building alliances and addressing trauma in schools. (44:07)

Transformational leadership in education. (49:53)

Education reform with a focus on student involvement. (52:02)

Connect with Dr. Butts