EP275 What does it mean to “bring the best version of yourself” to the classroom? (with Elena Aguilar)

Who you ARE matters just as much as what you DO. How can you show up as the best version of yourself each day, not only for students, but in every aspect of life?

I’m talking today with Elena Aguilar, a writer, leader, teacher, coach and the author of seven highly acclaimed books including The Art of Coaching, (2013) Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators (2018), Coaching for Equity (2020), and The PD Book: 7 Habits that Transform Professional Development (2022).

Elena is the founder and president of Bright Morning Consulting, and host of The Bright Morning podcast (which is a phenomenal listen, by the way.) She also collaborated with Dr. Rebecca Branstetter and I on the Reversing Educator Burnout course–you can hear her as a special guest expert in Module 2. 

Listen in as Elena and I discuss:

• Why “bringing your best self” brings ease rather than “one more thing” to your plate
• The power and simplicity of being fully present in challenging moments
• Trying harder vs letting go
• The traits and dispositions we display when we are our best selves
• What to do when you’re too exhausted to bring your best self to the classroom

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