Educator Wellness Podcast

Watch, listen, and reflect on each of the 8 episodes in Season 3 of the Educator Wellness Podcast to earn 1 Iowa Licensure Renewal Credit!

Learning Outcomes

This course has been designed to bring together education professionals across the state of Iowa to learn about the importance of educator wellness and its connection to social-emotional-behavioral health (SEBH). Topics this season include collective action in K-12 education, finding your authentic teaching voice, school avoidance, advancing social connection, strong family-educator relationships, nourishing student minds through nutrition, tackling burnout, and the intersection of youth physical activity and mental health.

Throughout 8 episodes:

  1. Examine personal wellness strengths and areas of growth that impact your overall well-being.
  2. Identify key issues in education that are impacting your life and work.
  3. Analyze strategies and skills that can improve your well-being.
  4. Analyze strategies and methods that educators can use to improve school systems' well-being.
  5. Investigate how community systems directly impact school systems and vice versa.

Iowa Licensure Renewal Credits

Educators who register for and complete all readings and discussions via the online course platform for all eight Season 3 Educator Wellness Podcast episodes can earn one teacher license renewal credit. To earn ILRUs, teachers must create an account:

Create your account now/Log into your account

Season 3 Episodes

Episode 1 – The Power of Us: Transforming K-12 Schools Through Collective Action

 

Andrea Forcum – (better known as Educator Andrea) – makes educators feel seen. With 1M+ followers on TikTok and Instagram, Andrea is widely admired for down-to-earth videos that lean into the chaos of teaching. In this episode, Andrea sits down with Kari to explore the critical issues facing today’s educators. Together, they passionately advocate for teachers and students, discussing how collective action can transform our schools and drive meaningful change. This inspiring conversation will leave you energized and ready to take action in support of our K-12 schools.

Episode 2 – Speaking the Truth from the Field

 

In this episode, explore the ripple effects of policy changes, social media, and evolving communication norms through the eyes of passionate educators. Kari talks with the dynamic husband-wife duo Myles and Haley Finn from Indianola, Iowa. Haley, a middle school counselor, and Myles, a high school vocal teacher and TikTok influencer (@itsmrfinn) with 1M+ followers, offer valuable insights into the complexities of teaching in today’s world and how to harness your authentic self as an educator.

Episode 3 – The Attendance Crisis: Tackling School Avoidance, Together

 

Why aren’t students coming to school and what can educators do about it? Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, a renowned expert on school avoidance with over 25 years of experience in higher education, joins Kari to unpack this hot button issue. Learn why developmental factors play a larger role than you might expect, the root causes of school avoidance, how the pandemic reshaped attendance norms, and innovative approaches schools are using to tackle this urgent issue.

Episode 4 – Alone Together: Navigating Loneliness in Education

 

Recent research has found evidence that loneliness has detrimental effects on both our mental and physical health. Join Kari and expert Jillian Racoosin, executive director of the Foundation for Social Connection, as they unpack the crucial role that social connection plays in fostering a healthier, happier life. Discover how educators can foster meaningful relationships, improve student mental health, and create more connected learning environments. Learn practical tips to build your own “connection muscle” and transform your classroom into a hub of social engagement.

Episode 5 – Educators and Parents Unite! The Power of Strong School-Family Collaborations

 

Building strong family-educator relationships is vital to healthy learning environments. Megan Olivia Hall, STEM educator and social emotional lead teacher at Open World Learning Community in St. Paul Public Schools, sits down with Kari to discuss proactive things educators can do to build more positive, collaborative relationships with parents. As both an educator and parent, Megan offers unique strategies to strengthen parent-teacher connections that result in a more supportive and enriching environment for students. Join us for a compelling conversation as we unpack how to form these relationships, how they impact student learning, and more.

Episode 6 – Nourishing Minds, Fueling Futures: How Food Impacts Students’ Ability to Thrive

 

Marlene Schwartz, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health, joins Kari to discuss the critical role school nutrition programs play in the well-being of students, how schools and districts can advocate for better programs, and practical strategies for implementing improvements. Tune in to learn how you can be part of the movement to nourish our students’ bodies and minds, setting them up for a healthier, more successful future. Join us as we dive into how we nourish to flourish!

Episode 7 – Beyond Survival Mode: How to Recognize and Recover from Job Burnout

 

Have you experienced burnout? How do you work through it? Christina Maslach, leading burnout expert and author, chats with Kari about six key chronic job stressors and how educators can recognize the early signs of burnout in themselves and others. This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling overwhelmed at work or looking to create a healthier, more balanced professional life. You won’t want to miss this one!

Episode 8 – Game On: Harnessing The Power of Sports and Physical Activity for Mental Wellness

 

In this episode, Jon Solomon, the community and impact director of the Sports and Society Program at the Aspen Institute, joins Kari for a thought-provoking discussion about the far-reaching impact of sports and physical activities on youth mental wellness. This episode sheds light on the crucial role of coaches and educators in recognizing mental health challenges and creating supportive environments for all students. Uncover how physical activity can be a powerful tool for fostering empathy, inclusion, and overall well-being in students and tips for creating spaces where every young person feels valued and empowered through movement.

About the Podcast

A podcast just for K-12 educators! Prioritize YOUR wellness to better care for your students and yourself. Dr. Kari Vogelgesang hosts nationally-recognized experts that help us explore and reflect on various dimensions of health and well-being. Take away strategies and tips to transcend wellness knowledge and practices into your classroom or school.