educators: when do you feel the most joyful at school?
In the summer of 2023, GetSomeJoy rolled up to Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency’s FOCUS Summer Learning Conference at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa with our Community Literary Therapy Wall, our beloved fried chicken stickers, and creative wellness tools to unpack this question and create space for educators to process and share about what’s impacting and supporting their mental health.
Here’s what had happened.
Keynote presentation:
How to GetSomeJoy@School: Cultivating Joyful Learning Environments in this Raggedy Moment in History
Breakout Session:
Literary Therapy for Educators + Administrators
Interactive Experience:
Community Literary Therapy Wall + Creative Wellness Resources
Here’s how we brought some JOY to the 2023 FOCUS Summer Learning Conference
Every school needs more joy in this raggedy moment in history.
We talked to educators about how to make that happen.
When do you feel the most joyful at school?
We asked 2023 FOCUS Summer Learning Conference educators about their favorite parts of the day.
Here’s what they said:
“When I'm able to build a rapport with kids who need it the most.”
-Lisa L
“I feel the most joyful at school when I have built strong relationships with students and can celebrate their successes (small or big) with them.”
-Kathy S
“I feel the most joyful when I hear the ‘hum’ of learning in the classroom.”
-Pennie K
“I feel the most joyful in the morning when I have time to connect with kids and have casual conversations that aren’t about school.”
-Sammie B
“I love when the students walk into the building in the morning and they run in from the bus. They are so excited to be there.”
-Amy S
“In the mornings when the students are just arriving and you have brief conversations, and a cup of fresh coffee!”
-Amy B
“I’m most joyful when I feel like I’ve been able to connect with kids, especially on the tough stuff and they say they feel better, in whatever way that may mean to them. Definitely fills my heart.” ♥️
-Sofia S
“I also feel most joyful when I feel supported by the admin and my co workers as well!”
-Sidney S
“When a student laughs!”
Robin M
“I feel most joyful when students connect to a book I read aloud and it makes them excited to find more like that book. ❤️”
-Colleen G
“I feel the most joyful at school when students see their hard work pay off. ❤️”
-Rachel M
Conference attendees had a lot to share on our Community Literary Therapy Wall
what does joy mean to you? how does it look, feel, sound, taste?
“Joy is a state of mind where moments & actions can be directed towards light and love. It feels uplifting, sounds happy, & tastes sweet.”
“Joy is going on an adventure with my family.”
“My husband’s smile + wink at me”
“Being with my grandkids + laughing and playing with them”
Give yourself an award for something you did or didn’t do this month. Write your acceptance speech.
“Thank you for this award fo starting my summer off correctly. I couldn’t have done it without my stack of books, hammock in the shade, many bottles of sunscreen, and a few bottles of adult beverages. II hope to continue using my summer to relax and get some joy.”
Zebra Cake Discipline Award
“I want to thank my wife for helping me to stay disciplined in not devouring an entire box of the sweet fluffy cream-filled delicacies. Her support, discoveries of my hidden stashes, and minor hard slaps helped me see it’s possible.”
“Thank you for the Decluttering the Saunagymatorium Award. The road to achieve this award was full of clutter and was overwhelming, but I persevered! I would like to thank Jen for hauling the clutter to the trash for me!”
Thank you for moving in “officially” with my fiancé.
“Thank you to my fiancé for accepting my weird quirks and accepting me for who I am. I am so proud to accept this award because it is my next big step in life.”
What is 1 way educators + admin can help cultivate a more joyful learning + working environment?
Incorporate play into the day—leave white space for creativity and exploration.
Listening and learning about what brings staff joy. Then, providing opportunities for surprise and delight. Everyone deserves to have joy in their work/learning.