THOUGHTS FOR EDUCATORS BEFORE THE COLD WINTER BREAK…

After leaving the public schools in 2023 I began to share my personal story or resilience and hope across the nation. If you would like to read my blog or connect about students and or families from hard places please let me know. I run a nonprofit called Simply Encourage where I coach families who are navigating trauma and dealing with a broken system. I teach parenting, life skills, healthy coping skills, and community engagement skills.

I Want You to Know…
Some students are about to enter a season that feels heavy. For some, the holidays won’t bring peace or joy, but more uncertainty, pain, or stress. As you look around your schools, please remember this: your words have the power to light up your students life and the encouragement you give now may be just what they need to get them through this harsh winter.

Here are a few things we can all say to empower our students before a big break:
🙏🏼“I will miss you so much over the break.” Let them know they are seen and valued, and that their absence will be felt.
❤️“You matter so much to me.” This can be a lifeline for someone feeling invisible.
🫶🏻“Your worth is not tied to gifts or grades or what someone says about you.” Help them understand their value is unshakable.
📚“You are so strong, and I see how hard you try. I’m so lucky you are in my life.”
Acknowledge their resilience because it might be what keeps them going.
🙏🏼“It’s okay to feel however you feel about the holidays.” Validate their emotions, even if those emotions are complicated.
❤️“You don’t have to carry everything on your own.” Let them know they are not alone and that there are people who want to support them.
🫶🏻“When it feels dark, remember that light is still ahead.” Encourage hope, even when they can’t see it yet.
📚“You are not defined by what’s happening around you.” Remind them they have the power to grow beyond their circumstances.
❤️“I believe in you.” Simple, powerful, and life changing.

As someone who grew up navigating adversity, instability and uncertainty during the holidays, I know the weight some of our students may be carrying. Your kindness, encouragement, and presence can make all the difference for a child walking through a difficult season.

When you send your students off for the holidays, send them with the warmth of your care. Your words might be the gift they hold onto long after the decorations come down. Trust me. I was one of them.

Also remember there are many parents who were not equipped for their jobs as parents and are trying to keep their head above water. Have Grace for those community members as well! Be a light in your community!

On another note, thank you for all that you do. Me and my siblings were your McKinney Vento kids. Both of my brothers died by suicide and mental illness and are very much my why as well. They were the class clowns and sometimes aggressive but nobody can understand unless you’ve lived their lives. I was a submissive, compliant child, one of the lucky ones. It’s so very hard to educate and inspire our students who have so many odds stacked up against them. I’m here if you need to talk and even if you don’t!