Inspiration and resources for balance before burnout
Media
phone: (508)542-0118
email: melissa@wholeteacher.com
Melissa Kitchen's Bio:
Melissa Kitchen is an experienced counselor and life coach, who helps teachers who are stressed and overwhelmed find balance before burnout. A teacher, school guidance counselor, and presenter with over 15 years in education in some of the largest urban school districts in the country, Melissa knows first hand the many demands placed on teachers each day and the difficulty that comes from trying to manage it all. Melissa received her M.S. in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish and her M.Ed. in School Guidance. She is a Core Essentials Graduate of Coach U and a member of the International Coach Federation (including the New England Chapter), American School Counselors Association, Massachusetts School Counselors Association, and South Shore Guidance Association.
Her expertise in work life balance and teacher stress relief was developed through years of personal experience and coaching other educators. She truly believes that no matter how difficult life gets, we can make choices to create the quality of life we desire. Melissa is married and lives with her husband and two sons in Southeastern Massachusetts.
Story Angles:
How to Eliminate the Top Ten Teacher Stressors
In this time of extreme budget cuts teachers now have more students, less resources, and high stakes exams weighing down on them. Teachers are struggling with doing more with less and often put themselves on the bottom of the list. This is not good for anyone.
The Whole Teacher provides a plan for ten days to less teacher stress.
Melissa examines the top ten most common teacher stressors and shares simple, proven strategies to eliminate them.
Balance Before Burnout
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics the national average turnover rate for teachers is 17% with urban district teachers leaving at a rate of 20%. The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future estimates that 1/3 of all new teachers will be leaving after 3 years while 46% will leave in 5.
Many districts are looking at policies and systems to alleviate the problem. The Whole Teacher looks at the individual and what teachers can do to set themselves up for success and prolong their careers.
Life balance is like balancing a scale, and stress is an inevitable, constant part of teaching and life. If stress is weighing down one side of the scale, what can you put on the other side of the scale to build balance? Reserves of basic needs such as space, time, peace, quiet, and nature can prevent negative effects of stress on our health.
Suggested Questions:
* What are the greatest challenges facing teaches today?
* How can new teachers set themselves up for success and balance?
* What is the key to teachers staying engaged and effective throughout the school year and throughout their careers?
* Why are so many teachers leaving the profession?
* What are the secrets to being a Whole Teacher?
For more information please call Melissa Kitchen at (508)542-0118 or email melissa@wholeteacher.com.
