Battery Life of an Educator: Being Seen and Valued with Amy-Jo Smith-Journey With Care

Description

What does self-care look like for those who give their all to educate and support others? In this conversation, Amy-Jo Smith, a seasoned early childhood educator and trauma care trainer, shares her insights on the unseen roles of caregivers and educators, emphasizing the importance of self-care, community support, and maintaining personal identity. Amy-Jo discusses practical self-care practices such as outdoor activities, journaling, and balancing work with personal joy. She also explores the challenges of secondary trauma, systemic frustrations, and the vital role of supportive networks. Amy-Jo’s compelling anecdotes of international caregiving, along with her expertise in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), highlight the profound impact of connection and empathy in caregiving.

Time Stamps

[05:46] Connection and presence bridge gaps in childrens' needs.

[08:18] TBRI stems from Karen Purvis' trauma research.

[11:12] Support systems are crucial for caregiver resilience.

[15:54] Friend's small help greatly relieved overwhelmed teacher.

[19:35] Movement and beauty alleviate stress and trauma.

[21:14] Monitor emotions to prevent burnout through processing.

[26:26] Supporting colleagues facing trauma needs debriefing, teamwork.

[30:37] Feeling overwhelmed by limited resources in service work.

[32:31] Child's note revealed deep teacher-student bond.

Other Links

DONATE! Help connect and equip more churches across Canada to effectively journey well in community with the most vulnerable: careimpact.ca/donate

Editing and production by Johan Heinrichs: arkpodcasts.ca