Ever wonder how teachers juggle their careers with personal ventures and self-care? Join us for a conversation with Tenia Fisher, a first-grade teacher at Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy, founder of SocialX Milwaukee, and a passionate runner with her group, Fear MKE. Tenia shares her insights on balancing her teaching career and other commitments, while also emphasizing the importance of self-care and giving yourself grace as a teacher.
In this episode, we dive deep into teacher health and wellness, exploring the significance of replacing busy work with activities that encourage creativity in the classroom. Tenia provides valuable advice for teachers who may be struggling to finish the school year and offers tips on finding the right therapist to support their mental health. Learn how engaging in physical exercise, having meaningful conversations, and prioritizing self-care can help teachers become the best versions of themselves for their students. Don't miss out on this insightful and inspiring conversation with Tenia Fisher!
www.EdwardDeShazer.org
Ever wonder how teachers juggle their careers with personal ventures and self-care? Join us for a conversation with Tenia Fisher, a first-grade teacher at Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy, founder of SocialX Milwaukee, and a passionate runner with her group, Fear MKE. Tenia shares her insights on balancing her teaching career and other commitments, while also emphasizing the importance of self-care and giving yourself grace as a teacher.
In this episode, we dive deep into teacher health and wellness, exploring the significance of replacing busy work with activities that encourage creativity in the classroom. Tenia provides valuable advice for teachers who may be struggling to finish the school year and offers tips on finding the right therapist to support their mental health. Learn how engaging in physical exercise, having meaningful conversations, and prioritizing self-care can help teachers become the best versions of themselves for their students. Don't miss out on this insightful and inspiring conversation with Tenia Fisher!
www.EdwardDeShazer.org
I'm your host, edward Schaezer, and on today's episode I have Tania Fisher running extraordinaire also a first grade teacher at Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy also a really good friend of mine as well. Thank you for being on the show.
Speaker 2:Thank you, i'm kind of called Gar. You said a really good friend. I thought that was a good friend.
Speaker 1:Best friend, thank you. You know, you just done, went to Paris. I mean, i don't even know you anymore. We'll talk about that on a different episode though, but I appreciate you being on the show. What I'd like to start is just tell the people that are listening a little bit about yourself.
Speaker 2:Okay, as Eddie stated, my name is Tania Fisher. I'm a first grade teacher. I've been teaching for about, i would say, 10 or 11 years. It gets foggy when you start to get into it for so long After that first year it gets foggy. But I've been at Greater Holy for eight years. I've taught K5, second grade, first grade, so we got a little friend right here There's a very cute dog in the studio. He's very distracting. He's such a good boy.
Speaker 2:You'll be on the next episode, but yeah, so yeah, now I'm in first grade and how many years I've been there, that's foggy, too Long enough, long enough.
Speaker 1:So what else? I know you do some other things, you have SocialX Oh okay, i can go.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, we're going to go into all of it.
Speaker 1:I need you to like. People need to know what you do. When you think of what you do on a 100%, being a first grade teacher is like it's a decent chunk, but you do some other really cool stuff.
Speaker 2:So yeah, i have a business SocialX Milwaukee. We are a young professional consulting group that encourages I should start saying professionals, encouraging professionals to stay in Milwaukee. So we attract talent to Milwaukee and try to retain talent in Milwaukee. We do that by planning events and my realm in that is that I'm the health and wellness director for that. So I plan all health and wellness events and then the biggest one underneath health and wellness is my running group, my baby fear, mke. So as stands for, forget everything and run. I have a very big running background so I want to encourage other people to find their love in running. So that's been around for nine years. That has blossomed into me becoming a Lou Lemon ambassador and an ASIC ambassador as well. I'm trying to think of what else I do. I've cut it down, so let is like.
Speaker 1:What else you do like you didn't just like flex.
Speaker 2:But no, I don't know what else I do besides. You know, have these other businesses and sponsorships by two major corporations. But yeah, and I sit on boards to give back and to serve my community.
Speaker 1:So, as the health and wellness, the topic that I want to dive into today is, you know, just speaking about, like teachers, wellness and, you know, being gentle with yourself and giving yourself grace. So the biggest thing I know a lot of people when they tune in and a lot of the direction I've went on TikTok is just giving teachers. I don't even know if it would be encouragement, but what's some of the advice that you would give to a struggling teacher, because I think a large percentage of teachers, if not almost all of them, are having some moments where they're really struggling in teaching. What's some advice that you would give a teacher that, as they're finishing up the school year, what's some advice and encouragement that you would give them?
Speaker 2:Yeah, i think first, this could be for anybody like giving yourself grace, so it's okay. It's okay if that student didn't understand that subject. It's okay if you thought you were going to teach this elaborate lesson and you were only able to get through like two points. So something I learned when I was coaching I would make these like amazing workouts. I thought they were great And I would be really upset with myself when my boys didn't perform. So I was a track coach for 11 years at my old high school, so I would be really upset when they wouldn't perform the way they were supposed to perform during these workouts. Or if I had like five 200s and then at the end they had to do like a time trial and it didn't happen.
Speaker 2:And my coach told me like you're not, everything is not going to. You don't have to follow everything just because you wrote it down. So, just because you made that lesson and in your head, yes, you made these PowerPoints. You had all these stickers, these crayons and you know you came in. You're like this is about to be lit. This is going to be great. Like it's okay. Yeah, it's not going to go as planned because they're children for one, like let's talk about that. They're kids. Everything is going to be unpredictable, and that is the beautiful part about your job that you get something different every single day, so not expecting everything to be what it looks like and what you wrote down. So one thing for sure that has helped me with coaching, with life your to-do list, your lesson plans just because you wrote it down does not mean it has to happen.
Speaker 1:And I think teachers are like we have these lesson plans and we have all these things and it's like things don't ever and I don't even that's not even kids Like when you're dealing with adults, things don't ever go as planned. And I do feel that's where a lot of teachers struggle, because I mostly like into teaching. Their brains think a lot of times can be like the straight line And when things get outside the line you kind of get frustrated because like no, this was supposed to happen and that was supposed to happen. But I think it's important for teachers to hear that because, like it is okay, you may have 10 ideas and you may only get to one of them, but were the kids engaged? Did they enjoy themselves? Did you get them further than where they started? Like it's like a running You may not run the whole mile, but did we get even a 40-yard?
Speaker 2:dash out of it?
Speaker 1:Did we get 100 meters? Whatever it may be, it's like as long as we made some progress, even if it's only baby steps, it's better than where we were the day before. So just knowing that you don't have to be perfect.
Speaker 2:Right, exactly.
Speaker 1:Someone needs to hear that because there's teachers that are like buy the book, everything has to be right, and then, when they're not, they feel teachers will beat themselves up more than anyone else. Yeah, it's like administrators will beat you up too, but teachers beat themselves up more than anyone. It's like you already have enough people beating you up. Students will beat you up, the parents will beat you up.
Speaker 2:The administrators will beat you up, don't beat yourself up. Yeah, it's like grace, it's okay.
Speaker 1:Grace on the tough days.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:So for someone other than grace, for someone like you that does 10 different things, how do you find the balance as an educator to Being? I think you're an incredible teacher. As a previous guest, we had amber on one of your guys. Classroom is always one where kids are just in there And I like to say it's cooking because, like it, you come in and kids are having fun. It doesn't look like the same old thing that you've seen a lot of classrooms. How do you find the balance between all the things that you do? because there's a teacher that's listening, that's, and maybe they don't have businesses and they don't run, but they have other titles, whether that be mom or friend or wife or husband or whatever that other may be. How do you find balance in being all those things while also feeling like you're being successful in the classroom?
Speaker 2:So I haven't mastered it yet. You know, take what you want from what I have to say. So I Have started to leave work Kind of right away. You were looking for me the other day I did.
Speaker 1:Did you leave early?
Speaker 2:No, I swear I didn't the time.
Speaker 1:Did you leave early I.
Speaker 2:Did not I? we dropped the kids off at 315 for the after school and I was literally out the door, probably by 317, i Can't know more.
Speaker 1:Shouldn't know. No teacher show, unless you're staying after for a program. Yeah, it's like leave, go home.
Speaker 2:Yeah, i can't, and I used to stay and I used to like we just have to kick you guys.
Speaker 1:I know it was like it's six o'clock, go home.
Speaker 2:Oh and I, oh and I loved it. Man, i loved staying and we would get all print so much stuff and like I, really I did like it. Um, i don't have, i don't have time for that, no more I'm. I have a fiance now.
Speaker 2:Congratulations, thank you, i need to get home to him. He has a son. I have a bonus son now I need to get home to him. My dogs we got two dogs now like That stuff is important and they keep me balanced so I can bust all my other moves And then we get out of school early. That is a blessing. Please don't change that. But yeah, we get out of school.
Speaker 1:Well, you leave early anyway. No, i don't.
Speaker 2:Yes, i want take it full advantage of. You know we getting out at 315, 330 like that's a blessing, so I'm trying to take advantage of that. Um, i need to prioritize stuff. You know, teaching is important, entering my grades is important. I need that is something I'm working on, but I've been better this quarter and Make it. My students are important too. But you know what? I am important as well and I have to fill my cup. I have to be fulfilled before I can like go and like give to everybody else, you know. So, yeah, i set up meetings at four. I try to, you know, set them right when I get out of work, so then I'm free by at least seven ish and then I can do the rest. You know, spend time with my family and talk to my sister friends, stuff like that, spend time with them. So I think you need to prioritize. You know what's really important in yourself is important. Prioritize yourself first and then Start to dwindle down what else is important to find that balance.
Speaker 1:And I think for a teacher that's listening, one of the steps that you can do is, you know, whatever time say your school ends at three o'clock, put in your calendar four o'clock I'm reading, or four o'clock I'm going for a walk, i think really being which I'm assuming that you've gotten pretty good at when you have a million things It's like if any of my calendar forget about it. Like if it's not in my calendar, please don't expect me to be there because I'm not gonna remember where. It's. Like you know What in your calendar You get out of work at three on a Tuesday. Put that you're gonna go for a walk with your spouse or with your boyfriend or girlfriend or Your kids at 4 pm. Like, make time to do that.
Speaker 1:But I also think that shift in like my son is in was, it came in fifth grade now. Like their school doesn't give homework Yeah, he's in fifth grade now. Like they don't give homework. And a couple years ago when I first heard that, i was like the old grumpy Abe Simpson. Like back in my day we used to get homework but it's like More often than not when kids are doing homework It's busy work.
Speaker 1:I Now, if it's a project, totally kids should be doing it. If it is a report and kids are in middle school and high school, totally should be doing it. But just handing a kid a sheet of problems to go home and do I think is stupid. Sorry people that get offended by that, but I think it's stupid. Now, if you're like you know what I want you guys to read for 30 minutes every day, i think that's awesome. Kids should be doing stuff like that. But giving kids busy work, where often it's like the parent may be completing it I don't know who did this work. Like listen, yesterday you didn't know what four times four was, but today you knew it 30 times because your parents are or you had to calculate. So it's like giving stuff kids to just stay busy is stupid. On the flip side, every time you give 20 kids something that just stay busy, it means you got 20 things that you have to be busy with as well, So it's like forget homework.
Speaker 1:Did the kids have a great day and learn Like? let them go home and be kids. Let them go home and read. Let yourself go home and be a parent.
Speaker 1:Go home and be a great friend, a great wife, husband, boyfriend, whatever your other titles are. And there's a lot of teachers. I've learned that just on the videos that I've posted on TikTok the overwhelming response, and I hate seeing it. Every time I see a comment, i'm like I already know what the comment is. It's like it's easier said than done. It's like, yeah, but we have to be intentional, and I think some of that struggle is you have principals and other people that just have these super intense. to have these high expectations, kids need to do an hour and a half of homework at night. So you have teachers that leave, that can't leave their work at work, And I think that is just where education almost every other job you leave work and your work is there. Teachers are like you work 40 hours, you're grading papers, you're doing lesson planning, like you're doing all these other things outside of work, where it becomes like a 60 hour job that you're not getting paid the extra 20 hours for. So it's like you get somethings off, yeah, but you just worked 60 hours for the last 24 weeks. So I think, just encouraging teachers to put in your calendar these things.
Speaker 1:What are some activities that I know with health and wellness. What are some activities and tips that you would give to a teacher? you're someone that grew up playing sports, played sports, sports of your life as a revolt. What about the educator or the teacher that's like I've never done a sport. What are some simple things, cause I do think there's strength and fitness And that really helps your mental being. What are some tips you would give a brand new person that does not know the first thing about working out that they could do to start, just little things to get them on a better path of health and wellness, cause ultimately then they become a better person and a better teacher, absolutely.
Speaker 2:So I would say for physical fitness it can look different for everybody And I think that's the misconception that people think they need to be running or licked in weights or yoga or whatever You can do, move your body, that's it. So if moving your body means swinging a golf club, that's fine, you're moving your body. Walking the course like that is moving your body. Walking period is moving your body. Tennis, yoga, rock climbing all that stuff is moving your body. So I think people need to just find that's for anybody. Teachers, you just need to find what works for you and works for your schedule. Walking your dog, having a dog makes you like physically fit, so I think anything like that is helpful Also. And then we need to think about mental, our brains. I am a huge advocate of therapy. Think everybody should be in therapy.
Speaker 1:Um, Especially teachers Yeah.
Speaker 2:We all have stuff you know and like, even to deal with relationships, not and I'm not talking about boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, husband, friendships, mothers, fathers, siblings, Like it's just very good to talk to somebody, and even your classroom partner. You can't unload everything on them. So I think, talking to a therapist, I highly recommend it. 10 out of 10, everybody should try Um, and that helps with you know, feeling your cup to be able to show up and be a better person for those babies, because they don't deserve, you know, half of you just because you are not doing what you're you are supposed to do for your health.
Speaker 1:And I think what you're saying I don't want someone to take that though, cause people and I've learned this people take it and be like, well, you're saying I need to give them everything. No, what you're saying is we, as people, need to make sure that we are good as people, because when we're good there, we ultimately will be better in teaching Right, but we have to make sure we're getting movement. You know talking to someone, so it's not just every day you come in and the people around you're like, oh, i got this going on, like you don't want to be the E or of your building Right.
Speaker 1:So finding someone outside of there where it's like, hey, this is what's going on, and being able to really have conversations to help balance the relationships, because educators become the sounding board for all of their friends problems. I've seen that too often. because you're selfless people, you are saying yes to everyone. And then, because you say yes to everyone, what does everyone do? They bring you all your problems. Can you do this? Yes, i can. Can you do that? Yes, i can. Your principal is like Hey, can you do this committee? Yes, i can.
Speaker 2:Can you try this?
Speaker 1:sport, yes, i can. And we become so overwhelmed that eventually you just have to say no.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Like no, i can't Like you look at your phone like you know what. I can't stay after and do that because at 4pm my husband aren't going for a walk.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:And unfortunately, like I can say that because if someone's that you're like, Yeah, I understand, But there are people in administrators that will guilt you be like No, are you sure? Like what about this job? that you're like this job is going to be there forever? If someone plans on teaching for 40 years, I would tell you to think twice. Don't. Whenever your season is, you do it, but you have to make sure, like you said, that you're doing all these things outside so that when you are in the classroom you can be the best version of yourself, And some days you just are going to have a rough day, unfortunately. Right, And that's. There's nothing wrong with that. And, like you said to start, it's like giving yourself that grace and mercy. Like every day you're not going to be on point, That's OK, But understand that you can come back. There was a video I did a while back and it's like courage isn't always the loudest roar.
Speaker 1:Sometimes it's just showing back up the next day and be like you know what I'm going to try again, and I think it's important for teachers to understand that, because every day is not going to be perfect. Ok, but we have to make sure that we're being intentional with what we do, not in the building, but what we do outside of the building. Stop giving your kids a bunch of busy work, because what does that do to you? It gives you busy work. Stop taking your work home. If your school day ends at three thirty, don't be feel bad about leaving at three thirty one. Don't leave at three twenty eight. But like it's OK to leave, like you don't have to sit at work all night You don't have to. If you started eight o'clock, you don't have to be there at six thirty Now if you need to get into copies, totally do that.
Speaker 1:But don't make that a habit where you're just like breaking your back. But I will say, one of the things that you even said is that making sure you have a good balance, but making sure your home life is good, whether that's with someone or by yourself. Like I understand the times where it's like in not in my relationship now, but I know, and you know, in a previous relationship I didn't want to go home, so I stayed at work and I ran copies.
Speaker 1:I'm running copies of stuff I don't even need because I just want to sit at a cop here because I don't want to be at home, but it's like making sure all of those pieces are lined up, because it's like it's not fair for you to go to work and be like I love what I do but I go home and I hate my life. Or you're going to a relationship you're not happy in or your friendships that you're not happy in. Like we all deserve better as people. Exactly So, as we get ready to close out, what is? we gave tips for wellness, but what is some tips that you would give someone who's just struggling?
Speaker 1:Someone is listening to this and they're having some second thoughts. Whether it's about teaching, i'm off. If you're having second thoughts about teaching, i always say get out of teaching. If you're having second thoughts, listen to your gut, yeah, but what is some? some advice or some words that you would give to someone who's just struggling right now as a teacher or maybe it's not even the teacher. Maybe they're excelling as a teacher and they're struggling as a friend or as a parent or whatever struggles they're having. What's it some advice that you would give them?
Speaker 2:I would say so. I think talking as a therapy, like talking to someone, that's very helpful And it sounds very cliche, but the next day, i promise, will be better. It is, it always is. The next day is better, so I wouldn't get like so hung up on it. And then, yeah, start to write down and think like if you're struggling with teaching and you don't know if this is for you, then start weighing the pros and cons of that. Also, i've always been a believer of only doing things that I want to do. I do not do things that I do not want to do. You're not trapped Listen if there's a teacher that's listening and you are like I don't know if I can do this anymore.
Speaker 1:The best advice I give you is get out now and go to something else. I can tell you the teacher shortage ain't going anywhere And you're going to go and get a teaching job.
Speaker 2:You can always come back and get a teaching job. Yes, and it's okay. So go do something else right now And then come back, maybe If you want to get back on teaching.
Speaker 1:It's there.
Speaker 2:That's okay. That's okay. But yeah, i've never done anything I did not want to do. I never want to sit in a cubicle and I never have and I never will. That's just not me. So, yeah, do things that you love, your life will be a lot better. So that is for your partner, because I've been in some bad relationships too, but that's another thing. But, yeah, that's your relationship. Partner, that is family. If they are draining you, they not making you feel good, let them go.
Speaker 1:Boundaries. Yeah, so They're hard to draw, but you got to draw them I don't care who the person is.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so it's okay, all that stuff is okay. And people will try to guilt you and think you have to be friends with somebody because you've been friends with them forever, or Think you have to have a relationship with this family member because that's your family. No, you need to do best was best for you And if that is making you struggle or if that's hurting your heart, you need to do what's best for you, do what makes you happy healthy boundaries.
Speaker 1:To close out, i know that you found and I think this is just for anyone listening And I could be wrong on how where you found your therapist. Can you just let the people listening know where you found, because I believe your therapist you found through a website, right? Can you share that with someone, because I know there's someone? it's like they don't know where to begin.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, and they're scared to say it to someone because, like, the thought is and it's better now than what it was, but thought is, if I need therapy, something's wrong you know yeah. Nothing's wrong with you, but can you share with the listeners where you found your therapist, as we get ready to close out.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so, nationally, you can search psychology today and it's great, my friend Danielle told me about it. So you, there's filters. If you want a black person, i wanted someone that looked like me, so you can filter it to be What race, what gender, um, and then, and your insurance who takes your insurance? and then, or, if you don't have insurance, so you can put all those filters in and they you'll generate people for you. And then it's kind of you know You gotta, you have to be ready to go through it. It's like dating You're selecting someone. You know you're being very selective, so You go through it, you click on these people.
Speaker 2:And Milwaukee, if I saw somebody that I knew, i didn't select them, i wanted somebody. And that's scary to. People are scared. They're like, oh, it's gonna be somebody. I know there's a plethora of people. If you see that person, just don't reach out to that person because then they won't be your therapist. And then, if you are in Milwaukee, uh, black space is a free, like health and wellness therapy session. So they do it for free, it's offered. You can black space, you can look up them on instagram and they have three therapists that'll take care of you.
Speaker 1:Awesome And thank you for being on the episode. Thank you for Being an awesome teacher. I roped you into our school and you're stuck forever. So when someone tells you should get out teaching, that's only that's true for everyone but you. But I appreciate all you do. I appreciate just you for being an incredible friend Uh to me over all these years and I appreciate you taking time out of your extremely busy schedule To spend this day or this night night with me. Thank, you All right, thank you.