Entering a new school year can be stressful and daunting. The long summer days are winding down and back-to-school anxiety starts to creep in. But with a little mindfulness and intention — and some great advice from Concordia University-Portland Cavaliers — you can start off the new school year right! The power of intention “Our… Read More

We all know that healthy eating, sufficient sleep, and work breaks are good practices. But how do we truly break through our habits and start a teacher self-care practice that actually sticks? Summer is a perfect time to get going on a self-care journey that lasts. Here’s some helpful advice and practical tools to build… Read More

Picture it: a teacher hovering over a lukewarm microwavable meal while making copies and simultaneously grading this week’s essays. It’s summer, so that overworked teacher is surely relaxing poolside somewhere, right? Wrong. While many think teachers “get summers off,” most of us are extremely busy planning lessons or attending professional development sessions and conferences. Here’s… Read More

Teaching is one of the most taxing professions because educators give so much of their time and energy to their work. Frequently used terms like “burnout” can imply that teachers simply can’t handle their workload or aren’t measuring up to expectations. Doris Santoro of Bowdoin College and author of Demoralized: Why Teachers Leave the Profession… Read More

Teaching is a tough profession. Heavy workloads, challenging students, and lack of support are just some of the issues today’s teachers have to handle. Many educators choose their career because they feel it’s their calling, but that makes them more susceptible to compassion fatigue and burnout. A recent study finds that higher rates of burnout… Read More

You already have a host of mindfulness activities for the classroom in your toolkit, but what about tips for helping you—the educator—be more present in the moment? Have you ever tried to meditate, or practice mindfulness yourself? To learn what it takes (and how to do it), we talked with two mindfulness pros over at… Read More

We all know it’s important to live a healthy, balanced life, but what does that actually look like day-to-day as a teacher? Since March is National Nutrition Month, we asked some of Concordia’s MEd and EdD students and alums to share health tips that work for them in and out of their classrooms. Plan ahead… Read More

This week, March 5-9, is National School Breakfast Week. As teachers, we often tell our students that breakfast is, of course, the most important meal of the day. But… raise your hand if you sometimes skip it yourself. We wake up super early, gather our things, and head to school for long days of teaching—it’s… Read More

If you fly with any regularity, you’re likely very familiar with the flight attendant’s instructions to place the oxygen mask on yourself before assisting children. The reason, of course, is that you can’t do a very good job if you don’t take care of yourself first. Particularly in challenging situations, this is absolutely vital. Teaching… Read More

Between grading papers, lesson planning, and that extra-special energy students are buzzing with, it’s super difficult for teachers to actually unplug—but it’s so important that we do. Here’s why, followed by tips that will do dedicated educators a lot of good. Remember, self-care is truly an act of kindness to yourself! Why it matters—how stress… Read More

Running on a treadmill or going to a spin class might be the last thing you feel like doing after a long work day. Before and after the bell rings, you’re grading papers, meeting with students, planning, and more. You’re constantly putting your own life on hold so you can be there for your students day… Read More

Before embarking on my online MEd in Curriculum and Instruction at Concordia University-Portland, I spent 15 years working as a health educator, helping individuals find balance and resilience in daily life. My professional knowledge served me well as I ventured into the world of being an online grad student. And after graduation, all that hard work—and… Read More

Being a teacher is just as rewarding as it can be tiring. Nearly every day of the week, you’re grading papers and lesson planning. You may have kids of your own and advise Key Club. You may exercise every AM, or tutor every PM. Whatever your lifestyle, you don’t want to shuffle it around—but you… Read More

Earning your Master of Education degree is one of the smartest and most exciting moves you can do for your teaching career. Here’s an example of what your typical day might look like as a Concordia University-Portland student. As you can see, balancing work, family, and your master’s program is absolutely doable—and in the end,… Read More