Part 3: Final Overview

There was nowhere to attach a screenshot but slide 12 speaks to me.  Compassion fatigue is when you are exposed to a lot of stressful or unfortunate situations and feeling overwhelmed by the pain and weight of student's needs.  I like the compassion fatigue trajectory because it helps you to be aware of how you are feeling and what stage you are experiencing so you can correct your situation before you feel helpless.  

These slides are so useful!  Many teachers may not even realize that they are suffering from compassion fatigue unless they have this checklist.  This would be a great way to start a PD about compassion fatigue.  I plan on using this with teachers when I present this topic.  It would be very helpful for teachers or anyone in a service role (social workers...)

"All of us who attempt to heal the wounds of others will ourselves be wounded".  I am a 'fixer'.  I don't want anyone to hurt, or feel bad about themselves, or struggle.  Because of this, I think I take on some of my students' struggles.  That then weighs on me and I begin to suffer too.  I lose sleep at night trying to think of 'solutions' to solve their problems.  This quote really stuck with me.

Slides 10 and 11 were the most interesting to me because they allow to see where you are at in those categories. Then from there you can work on making adjustments to improve your health or way of teaching. Going back to the previous part with the Keys to Resilience, this promotes better self-care. 

This quote is very powerful for me because it validates the experience of connecting with others that are hurting. Compassion fatigue can set in without the person's awareness and can impact many areas of their lives. It is important to identify the signs of Compassion Fatigue so that we can build resilience and not allow these negative feelings to overwhelm us or spiral out of control.  

The slide that resonated with me the most was slide 12 which outlined the compassion fatigue trajectory. It provided clear definitions for each of the four phases of compassion fatigue so that educators can identify where the fall in this trajectory. In addition, it displayed the renewal and maturation which shows how educators can avoid burnout and instead transform their craft and become resilient to compassion fatigue!

My favorite slide, and the one that stuck with me the most, was the slide with relevant quotes. This slide stuck out to me because of the quote, "All of us who attempt to heal the wounds of others will ourselves be wounded." This quote stuck out to me because it acknowledges the price we all pay for compassion. Often, especially after remote learning, teachers are asked to do so much inside and outside of the classroom. The aforementioned quote acknowledges that compassion, while essential, can also take a toll on the person who wields it. 

I think we often overlook our feelings to get things done. These feelings and behaviors are symptoms of compassion fatigue and they are important to recognize in ourselves and in others.

I'm unable to post my image in this box, but I chose the checklist.  It was overall shocking to me how many of these applied to me.  I knew I was experiencing some compassion fatigue but didn't really realize the extent to which I was experiencing it.  

The checklist slide is interesting because I think we all have some of these symptoms from time to time. I know that I have dreams quite often. I.m always worrying about one thing or another in connection with work. I have been on summer break for 2 days now and I am still dreaming about the graduation ceremony I was responsible for. Just getting everything in order and the students I have impacted for the last four years. Also, Losing interest in things that were once enjoyable and not taking the time to exercise like I normally would. 

The Symptom checker is my favorite stile because it is a reusable takaway from this lesson. Even if we aren't noticeably fatigued, a regularly scheduled mental and physical check in with ourselves can help avoid progression. 

The slide with the checklist is what stood out to me.  Often we take in the information, identity with some of it, and then stop there.  Being able to visually see words connected to the feeling we are having and then identifying them is important.  I feel like they are the first steps in moving forward. 

Emotional Symptoms___ I have anger directed toward my supervisors or colleagues___ I have been feeling flat, depressed, and hopeless more than I used to___ I have been more angry and irritable than normal___ I have moments of dread when thinking about going to work___ I am having trouble finding hope___ I am less connected to my spiritual and religious beliefs than I used to be___ I have felt overwhelmed more than 3 times the past weekSpiritual Symptoms___ I have been avoiding spending time with my friends and family___ I fear for the safety of myself and my loved ones___ I have engaged less rather than more in activities that used to bring me pleasure___ I have had a lack of time for self___ I find it difficult to trust others___ I have feelings of despair and hopelessnessProfessional Symptoms___ I have been unable to get work or work-related issues out of my head___ I have had unwanted memories pop up in my head of past events from work___ My productivity at work has been reduced___ I have felt like quitting my job more than once___ I find paperwork and menial tasks getting in the way of my enjoyment of work5 or more checked could indicate that you are suffering from compassion fatigue symptoms