Waiting for Mr. Rogers ... What Can This Student Teach Me?
September 13, 2023
Hosted by Lynn McLaughlin
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Are you an educator who finds yourself triggered by a person, event or action? Self-awareness has a profound impact on the teaching journey when we empower educators to reflect on the "why" behind their triggers. Our past experiences often shape the way we interact with our students. If we uncover the roots, we can respond to our students with greater empathy, patience, and understanding. Wysteria shares specific experiences that forced her to have an "aha" moment and change her perspective entirely. We can create safe spaces where students' emotions are not only valued but deeply understood, fostering an atmosphere of trust and growth. How do we teach and normalize conversations about feelings so they become natural and accepted from K - 12? How do we make this a part of our classroom routine every day so students learn to listen and respond to each other with empathy? As we build stronger, more compassionate connections with our students, we enrich both their educational experience and our own. What did Mr. Rogers have to teach us?
Taking the Helm
Weekly Podcast Episodes available on-demand on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel
My current mission is: To empower children by helping them discover the essential stepping stones they need to strengthen their emotional well-being. The vision is: To cultivate confidence, empathy, responsibility, and self-awareness in children, equipping them with the skills to regulate their emotions in a positive way. Our children deserve to be emotionally healthy as they grow through youth into adulthood. As adults, if we model these behaviors for our children and incorporate them into our own daily lives, imagine the synergy we can create! We have become accustomed to wait for symptoms before we seek help, both emotionally and physically. It's time to change our way of thinking from reactive to proactive. Let's learn what we need to now so kids growing up have skills and strategies to use for life, in this very challenging world.
Lynn McLaughlin
Lynn McLaughlin has served in many roles as an educator … Superintendent, Principal, Vice-Principal, Teacher, and Educational Consultant. As a best-selling and award-winning author, Lynn has now teamed up with her niece, Amber Raymond, to co-author a children’s book series titled, “The Power of Thought”. Both are passionate about being proactive when it comes to children’s mental health. When children learn to manage their emotions at a young age, they learn to problem-solve and find positive solutions to everyday situations. Lynn has hosted the podcast, Taking the Helm for over three years. One of her guests might be the change agent you need in your own life! Lynn’s professional speaking experiences have been local, provincial, and international. She offers virtual and in-person interactive presentations geared toward parents and school communities focusing on emotional well-being. Dedicated to community causes, Lynn is a member of 100 Women Who Care Windsor/Essex and is a Rotarian. As a brain tumour survivor, she works tirelessly to support the goals of the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.