In an era of rising student needs and escalating professional demands, many educators find themselves asking: Is this level of output sustainable? While traditional professional development often focuses on self-care as an individual responsibility, this session shifts the lens toward systemic sustainability.Moving beyond the self-care myth, this interactive presentation explores trauma-informed practices through the Parallel Process, which is the idea that a regulated school environment begins with the wellbeing of the adults within it. Through a blend of scholarly literature and high-engagement activities, participants will analyze the impact of collective stress and evaluate their own Window of Tolerance. Participants will walk away with a practical, systemic sustainability plan ready for immediate implementation.
Learning objectives: 1) Participants will be able to describe the differences between burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress (STS). 2) Participants will be able to examine current individual, peer-to-peer, and systemic regulation strategies. 3) Participants will be able to design a personalized sustainability plan that incorporates one institutional boundary and one peer-support strategy.
