drabiletsbehonest

"You're doing too much." "You need to slow down." "You should rest." As educators, parents, helping professionals, and leaders, many of us hear these messages regularly. While they are often well-intentioned, I have discovered something important about myself over the years: I do not always push through because I am trying to do more. Sometimes, I push through because I am trying to think less. That may sound contradictory, but understanding this distinction has changed how I view...

When a child finally tells an adult that something is wrong, we often imagine a clear disclosure. We imagine a child sitting down and saying: "I'm being abused." In reality, that is rarely how disclosure happens. Children do not typically disclose abuse in a neat, organized, adult manner. Instead, they communicate through behaviors, fragmented statements, changes in mood, fear responses, withdrawal, aggression, running away, academic decline, somatic complaints, or subtle comments that adults...

As we approach the end of the school year, many educators are running on empty. Teachers are counting down the days until summer break, trying to make it to the finish line while managing behaviors, emotional exhaustion, academic demands, staff shortages, increasing mental health concerns, and the weight of supporting students through incredibly difficult circumstances. And quietly, behind closed doors, many are asking themselves: “Can I do this again next year?” Trust me… I’ve been there......