Reclaiming Care: Community-Centered Practices for Educators

What if caring for educators meant caring for the whole community, not just yourself? This Brain Gym session invites you on a journey into decolonizing care in education, shifting the focus from individualistic, often isolating self-care routines to the collective well-being and resilience of your entire school community. Move beyond theory to explore hands-on daily practices of holistic care that prioritize authentic connection, radical empathy and truly inclusive environments. Drawing on restorative justice principles and Indigenous-inspired wisdom, you will deconstruct traditional narratives, including a culturally responsive look at the limits of individualistic care models and Maslow's Hierarchy, and rebuild a framework for wellness that is equitable for all learners. Integrate mindfulness and regulation practices, reflect on identities and biases and design practical community care strategies that foster mutual support. You will leave with an actionable plan for promoting well-being and social responsibility in your community and connections with fellow educators committed to equity and collective care.