What About Us? Teacher Wellness Strategies

Presented by Dr. Margaret Berg from Colorado University in Boulder, CO, Dr. Berg offered a new perspective on the often maligned “work/life balance.” In contrast, she suggested striving for satisfaction in all areas of your life: professional, emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual.

She referenced the work of two researchers in two divergent areas of study.  The first is Off Balance: Getting Beyond the Work-Life Balance Myth to Personal and Professional Satisfaction by Matthew Kelley. Kelley’s premise is that there is no such thing as a work-life balance. Due to unique priorities, schedules, and life circumstances of each person, your “balance” might be different at different times of your life, the year, or even your week! Kelly advocates instead that people seek satisfaction in their personal and work lives.

The second book is The Power of a Teacher by Adam Saenz. Similar to Off Balance, Saenz encourages a focus on teacher well-being in multiple facets of their life. There was also an emphasis on priorities here as well.

I have not read either of these books, but they are on my Want to Read shelf on Goodreads! I will make sure to update when I have read them!

Colorado Music Education Conference Round-Up

Thanks for taking a look at what I learned at the 2016 Colorado Music Educators Association Clinic Conference last weekend in Colorado Springs! If you have questions or would like to talk to me about any of the ideas I learned, I’d love to share the resources and wisdom I learned from the conference!