Teacher Conventions 2013

Teacher Conventions 2013

Joining the pieces between theory and practice.....

Home. After a month of travel from Edmonton, to Red Deer and Calgary, Alberta,  I just completed my final Teacher's Convention for this year which included the presentations  "Chill Out - the Scoop about Anxiety" and "The Compassionate Classroom".

At all three conventions this month, the session on anxiety was a sell-out with large numbers of teachers disappointed they couldn't get into the room; anxiety in classrooms is becoming a significant issue for teachers from K-12.

In "Chill Out - The Scoop about Anxiety" we looked at common anxiety disorders we may see in our students, as well as the factors which may lead to the development of a disorder. Theory is great, but even better are practical strategies, and we discussed a number of those as well.

If you would like the session notes from the "Chill Out..." presentation, just drop me an email at wendy@educationingrief.ca and I'll be happy to send them along to you.

I'm looking forward to next year's conventions. If you've got an situation about which you could use some current information or ideas how to handle, let me know - I thoroughly enjoy researching and developing sessions on relevant issues for guidance counselors and teachers!

In the meantime, it was a delight meeting new friends, and visiting with old friends at the North Central Alberta Teacher's Convention, the Calgary City Teacher's Convention, and the Central Alberta Teacher's Convention.  Teachers are just plain good people!

Warmly
Wendy

Death Cafe - One Big Question

Hi All,

This morning I got up early, 0900hr, to meet a delightful journalist with the Calgary Herald. We talked about the upcoming Death Cafe - Calgary's first.

As I ranted and raved about this very innovative and cool idea to facilitate conversation about all things related to death, I realized that I have many more questions than answers about death..

In fact, I don't have any answers to the following questions:

1. Is there an after-life?
2. What does after-life mean, anyway?
3. What will it be like to be dead?
4. How exactly would I like to die?
5. Can I be sure that my instructions for my funeral will be followed to the "T"?
6. Do I need to worry about offending anyone at my funeral once I'm dead?
7. Do I really want to be cremated and have my ashes thrown over my old property, or do I want to be buried next to my parents in one of the ugliest cemetaries in Canada?
8. If someone told me that I only had 2 months to live, what would I really, actually do?
9. When I die, will I "be" with my dead pets? Dead family members?
10. What if there IS a hell??? Can I do something really quick on the way out to make sure I'm re-routed?

It's a good thing that the Death Cafe is about eating cake, drinking coffee/tea, and exploring all those questions, and others, about death. I don't have to have the answers - it's all one big question.

Come and share the journey.

Sunday, March 10, 2-5 PM at Self-Connection Books in Calgary. There is no charge but I need an RSVP to save your place and make you some cake. wendymariek@gmail.com

Warmly
Wendy

Borrowed from Oprah..."Fake Lasagna"

 

 Each day in my Inbox, I find a "Thought for the Day Newsletter" from Oprah - well not from her personally, but close enough.

This one caught me today....I'm sharing...

Offering Pretend Lasagna

There are fewer questions less answerable than "What can I do to help?" It's bad enough when lobbed at a harried hostess, but even more unanswerable for someone who's really struggling. The urge to ask is understandable: Chances are, you don't know what someone who has suffered a terrible loss or is struggling with some unthinkable disease has gone through. So you ask the question 47 times, and when the person doesn't have a response, you throw your hands up and think, "Well, I tried..." And here's the thing: You do get friend credit for trying. But you get even more for actually doing. Are they not responding to calls but seem happy to get emails? Are they drop-in averse? Start with a small, concrete way to make the day easier, whether it's having groceries delivered or coming over to walk her dog, and do it in the least obtrusive manner possible

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/relationships/Things-You-Do-That-Drive-Other-People-Crazy-Annoying-Habits/6#ixzz2Kd0h0259

Great idea, eh?
Warmly
Wendy

Relax....at Death Cafe

www.deathcafe.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Death Cafe

Food, Film and Fascinating Conversation about Death

Sunday March 10 2013

2 to 5 PM

Self-Connection Books  Northwest Calgary

No Charge but RSVP required

wendymariek@gmail.com