Pedagogical focus on self-care in all my syllabi:
I believe that self-care is a practice that will allow us to have a sustainable, quality learning experience. We will start class with a mindful meditation. We will include self-care days—days that allow you to add what you need to your life (is it a nap, a walk in nature, a coffee with a friend, fishing?). Self-care is the ethos from which we will approach the class. We will try to amp down when others are ramping up. Your mental health and wellbeing are number one to me so please keep self-care at the forefront! College life is a transition and good self-care can help you sustain yourself.
Discussion and reflection will be important for this class. We are working to learn and practice the growth mindset, be critical thinkers and to do these things we need to come to class prepared to share our insights from the readings and to reflect on the process of learning. We can use the term “compassionate pause” if in class you need something clarified, redefined, reworded, re-worked or if we just simply need a moment to reflect or pause anyone at any time can ask for a “compassionate pause”.
Blog posts: https://vocationmatters.org/author/dorrollcm/
Conquer and Prevail, Issue #11: http://sites.wofford.edu/radical-care/2020/04/23/a-call-for-self-care-and-self-compassion/