Thinking about self-regulation and working full-time

So there are only a few days left before the safeTALK session.

We are going to send out Facebook reminders and I am emailing the Principal today to make sure he sends a school wide email saying that the safeTALK presentation is on November 1st, 2017.

There has been a lot going on at school with consultants we work with coming in to observe our classrooms, and guest speakers, progress reports, dealing with students that are experiencing trauma/addictions etc., that this has been a long arduous process. Working really long days and speaking about extremely concerning behaviour of students (addiction and self-harming) has left me with very little energy and motivation to work on other personal things. However, upon reflecting why I have little motivation it is easy to see how the stresses of my day job impact my personal and professional aspirations. The good thing about SRL is that I can use reflection and journal writing to help me through the stresses of life. Even typing right now has a calming effect and gets me back on track and motivated.

I decided to do a google search with the terms "SRL and stresses of work" and that had me looking through several websites and I happened to come upon an Ontario Government link "Thinking about self-regulation and well-being".

link: https://www.ontario.ca/document/kindergarten-program-2016/thinking-about-self-regulation-and-well-being

Although this online document is geared towards Educators being able to recognize and help develop SRL in kindergarten students I was able to take away some key points for myself.

The question that most helped me re-evaluate what I personally need to do in order to be successful in SRL is thinking about if my learning or professional environment supports self-regulated learning.

- Have I been utilizing supportive materials such as stress balls, calm environments, noise cancelling headphones (I've been using ear plugs) and so that I am in a calm and focused state?

I have not been using supportive materials/locations as much as I should be. I will make sure that I do that from now on.

Does my professional environment encourage SRL? I think that there is a lot of indirect support but it would be helpful if I had more direct support (such as a superior checking in on me and seeing how I am doing in my Masters and taking a vested interest in my professional development). I can see how mentors are important in the workplace and how my own position as a classroom teacher is important to my students development of their own SRL.