Creating a Culture of EnCOURAGEment

New School Year, New Mindset

COVID-19 has changed the landscape of education forever. In order to respond to our new normal, we must enter into this school year with a mindset of self-care. Leaders and teachers will need to align themselves with the knowledge, training, and tools to support themselves, each other, as well as their students and families. If there's one thing we've learned through this pandemic, it is the importance of conserving and caring for our mental and emotional energy.

Five years ago, I set out on a new adventure to create programs that would bring more positivity into our schools. All my talks and programs were centered around creating and sustaining positive culture in our schools. Once the pandemic hit, all of this changed for me. I realized that this moment required more than a positive culture. I didn't feel comfortable suggesting we stay positive at a time when people were unable to gather, wearing masks, becoming ill and even worst, losing their lives.

I decided to write about this experience in my book, The Beauty Underneath the Struggle- Creating Your B.U.S. Story as I grappled with finding the meaning in this moment. This is when I transitioned away from talks about positivity and began my new journey of supporting schools with creating a culture of enCOURAGEment. The word encourage begin to take on a new meaning for me as it was bigger than simply being positive. Encouragement was not something that could be accomplished on our own, but an experience that would be created with what we did together. It would embrace the way we cared for one another, the compassion and kindness we shared, and it would emphasize a commitment to courage during times of struggle.

When we encourage someone we give hope, confidence, or support, we give others courage to do something. Giving is at the foundation of creating a culture of enCOURAGEment. But before we can encourage others, we must first encourage ourselves. This means that each of us will need to take a look in the mirror to determine ways to conserve our mental and emotional energy.

In our Cre8tive Culture for Schools, we support teachers and leaders by introducing teams to 8 BE’s that will reset their mindset and prepare them for the work ahead. They are:

BE Responsible

Understanding the difference between fault and responsibility is a powerful tool when considering your self-care. By taking 100% responsibility, we feel empowered to create our desired outcomes.

BE Aware

Take a look at automatic thoughts and beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world. Do these beliefs still serve you well?

BE Open

Analyze your ability to be open to the ideas, differences, and opinions of others, especially of those that are not like you. Our ability to be open will enable us to move through life more freely without restrictions.

BE Courageous

Evaluate your personal courage and your ability to take the necessary risk to make change. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the spirit to move despite adversity.

BE Grateful

Engage in practices that will support you in growing in gratitude. Learning to appreciate the people and things that bring you joy will help them show up more in your life.

BElieve

Practice the art of believing in self, others, and the world. By believing in yourself, you will find the courage to take immediate action on your goals while inspiring others to do the same.

BE Awesome

You have unique gifts and talents, when you share your awesomeness is like giving others the gift of you!

BE YOU!

Don’t just show up this year, show out! Remember your why and embrace the struggles ahead!

Be encouraged!

If you’re interested in a free BE assessment to determine areas of strengths and opportunities for yourself and your school please contact us. If you would like more information on Cre8ive Culture for Schools visit culturecre8ion.com or email rachel@culturecre8ion.com.