In today’s fast-paced world, chronic stress is common, but your mind and body can pay a high price. Learn to recognize overwhelming stress—and what you can do about it. Most importantly, learn how to use the power of your senses to relieve stress on the spot and stay calm, productive, and focused—no matter what life throws at you.

TAKEAWAYS:
Tips on how to manage stress.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Phillips (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Azra Chughtai (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

While it may seem like there’s nothing you can do about stress at work and home, there are steps you can take to relieve the pressure and regain control. Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional equilibrium, as well as your physical health. It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life. Effective stress management helps you break the hold stress has on your life, so you can be happier, healthier, and more productive

TAKEAWAYS:
Tips on how to relieve pressure and regain control.

SPEAKERS:
Azra Chughtai (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Michelle Phillips (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

This talk will describe ways in which science educators can utilize the science of early adversity and resilience to improve their classroom culture, mitigate the effects of early adversity on student performance, and provide students with strategies to improve their educational outcome.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the basics of the science of early adversity and resilience through the 6 pillars of trauma-informed care proposed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). An emphasis will be placed on strategies and suggestions educators implement.

SPEAKERS:
Chelsea Robertson (Assistant Professor), Cheryl Robertson (University of Tennessee, Knoxvile)

There is a big push for SEL in the classroom for the benefit of students...but how can this be leveraged for teachers? I'll share several SEL strategies for the science teacher to implement for themselves to prevent burnout.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will have a variety of SEL strategies that they can choose from and use immediately in their daily routines to help themselves avoid teacher burnout.

SPEAKERS:
Nadene Klein (Daniel C. Oakes High School: Castle Rock, CO)

There is research that studies emotional intelligence (EI) and stress management. Utilizing EI to address stress and burnout has been applied to numerous professions including nurses, law enforcement, and teachers. Teachers experience stress at a higher rate and more frequently than many professions. Teachers experience stress and burnout throughout their tenure. It is hypothesized that teachers with higher emotional intelligence will experience less stress and burnout. Further exploration into emotional intelligence allows teachers to better understand and communicate with students which also reduces stress by discovering the source of a student's behavior. Emotions are data. Emotional data can reveal information about ourselves and others that can be used to address continued exposure to stress. This lecture introduces teachers to the benefits of emotional intelligence through brief participatory exercises.

TAKEAWAYS:
Emotions are information. Emotions drive behavior. Understanding our emotions allows us to address the core issues that can lead to burnout. What are emotions telling you about yourself? What are emotions telling you about the mental health of your students?

SPEAKERS:
Michael McCutcheon (Fitchburg State University: Fitchburg, NH)