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Dear Brave Educator (A series of letters)

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As I recount and reflect on the events that led up to me facilitating the first Teacher Support Group, I can now look back and see that it was truly meant to be on a virtual platform, at least for now.   These teachers are able to join from a comfy spot and truly feel the "come as you are" nature of the group.  They lean into one another in a way that is renewing and inspiring.  You can get a glimpse into the discussion topics from the Fall 2022 Sessions  here . My invitation in reading these is that you can extend grace, kindness, and hope to yourself and/or other educators as you read through the themes and reflections.
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Create

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March 17. 2023 Locanda Cugnanello, Tuscany  " Creating isn't about 'knowing' or having some prescription for the outcome - it is about following the threads..." - Kari O'Driscoll  As I mentioned in my Welcome  post, my word for 2022 was 'create' and I had no idea what that would look like or how it would show up.  Through my health journey, transitioning out of the educational system, and seeking to slow down and heal from burnout, I was able to experience and live my life in a way that I never had before.   First and foremost, I need to thank my partner, Zach, my family, and my besties.  Their unwavering support and just in general not looking at me and asking if I was crazy, meant and continues to mean the world to me.  I was able to find ways to be more connected to my son and his school community, create a nurturing home space, rest, and find my way traveling to Italy with two besties and an incredible group of people from all over the world....
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Welcome!

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This welcome post was written at the end of 2022 and beginning of 2023.  To most it may not seem like much of anything, but to me, it's symbolic of how I am still navigating a transition in two seasons of my life.  So.. here goes... Welcome to "Dear Brave Educator."  This is a space for all educators to feel seen, held, validated, and to have a sense of connection and community.   My name is Melissa and I'm a mom, wife, educator, coach, activist, and life-long learner.  Yeah, sounds like many other teachers, but this is who I am and I'm here to share with you.  I hope to share my experiences, knowledge, hopes, dreams, frustrations, and more.  We as humans are complex, and what I'm learning more than ever right now is that two things can be true simultaneously.   For example, I am excited and terrified at the same time as I'm writing this.  I'm thinking that the first person who reads this will think its crap and not want to walk alo...
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