Annette Idler A Few Things About Me Oregon Episcopal School, Class - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Annette Idler

A Few Things About Me

Oregon Episcopal School, Class of 1992

Oregon State University, Class of 1996 B.S. in Psychology, Minor in Neuropsychology

With my initial degree, I worked at... CARDV Center Against Rape & Domestic Violence Boys Farm Home --Long hours -- Really Scary Situations --Supervision role -- Long Hours -- Learned a lot! -- High Burnout -- Learned alot!

Central Washington University, Class of 1998 M. Ed. in School Psychology, NCSP Full Year Internship in Puyallup, Washington 1999

Career Path 1. School Psychologist, a. Puyallup SD b. 2000-2004 2. School Psychologist a. Vancouver SD b. 2007-2014 At elementary school in 3. School Psychologist/Counselor Vancouver, began working with a grant through Harvard a. Portland Public Schools Innovations and the impact of b. 2014-2016 mindfulness on preschool 4. Counselor children experiencing gang life & high levels of early trauma. a. Reynolds SD b. 2016-present

My Work Space Called the Dragon Den Trauma Intentional Space Focus on Mindfulness

Teacher Pay Scale Start Higher since have higher degree $53,000 - $88,000 ( + or -)

When little people are overwhelmed by big emotions, it’s our job to share our CALM, not join their chaos. ~L.R. Knost

186 newspapers full of info Times Distractions Pandemic opportunities for quiet and calm Have changed nervous system activation Technology 60,000 thoughts a day

Solve the Riddle What do we do ALL the time, without thinking, even when we are asleep?

Breathe

Mindfulness: paying attention to your thoughts, feelings and physical sensations in the present moment

I Focus on Teaching Children: - Breathing Techniques - Neuroscience - Empathy - Problem Solving During the Pandemic, I Focus on Checking in with Families & Supporting their needs, getting them access to mental health services

HAND MODEL IS FROM DANIEL SIEGEL’S “THE WHOLE BRAIN CHILD” Brain stem: REPTILIAN BRAIN- fully developed at birth and handles basic instincts/functions (sleep, hunger, breathing - SURVIVAL Limbic System: EMOTIONAL BRAIN - where emotions and memories are created and processed AMYGDALA: responds to stress Amygdala in action: THINKING BRAIN EMOTIONAL HIPPOCAMPUS: storage vault of memory and previous learning BRAIN PFC: Prefrontal Cortex: THE THINKING BRAIN AKA: “CEO”, “Yoda”, “The Control Center” REPTILIAN BRAIN The ability to: focus on a specific task, tune out the stimuli that ● are not relevant to our task. temporarily hold information needed for decision-making and reasoning, curb impulses and adapt when rules or circumstances change This part of our brain allows us to think logically, act with ● kindness and empathy, and it houses our reasoning and problem-solving abilities

The Amygdala in action…..

Pausing practices: ● increase awareness - challenge the negativity bias ● creates opportunities to “pump the brakes” ● Helps us respond vs. react Just breathe……. ● Brain Integration!

What we look for we will find…...

Take-aways: ● Make space for just being, every day ● Mindfully manage your stress - respond vs. react ● Quiet the inner critic ● breathe You can’t stop the storm...so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass. ---timber hawkeye

Questions? Trust your Journey.