Part 3: Final Overview

The compassion fatigue trajectory slide is probably my favorite slide in the presentation. I really liked how it outlined all of the stages of compassion fatigue. When I first started I was always in the Zealot phase, I would offer to take on projects, teach after school programs till 5:10 three days a week, and many other things. As time went on I felt myself slipping more into the irritability phase and I knew I needed some change, which meant I had to say “no” from time to time. Now, I am more willing to help out and have found a better balance between work and home. This is a slide I plan to keep handy!

The quote that the presenter highlighted resonated.  It stated, "The expectation that we can get immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it is as unrealistic as expecting to be able to walk through water without getting wet." (Rachel Remem, 1996)
I work in an elementary school building with students coming from poverty and a great amount of trauma.  We hear stories everyday involving their families, drugs, weapons, abuse, etc.  To be exposed to such tragedy daily is taxing, and its not surprise that it weighs on us daily.  We enter each day very optimistic and, by the end of the day, feel heavy with burden.

I chose the last slide for the last bullet point (Pathology and Victimization vs. Renewal and Maturation.) This is where the profession has lost so many talented teachers who could have overcome it if they had the proper training and resources, but instead have left the field. I, myself, have been at this crossroads before and refused to give up, but struggled in silence until I was able to recover. Moving forward, I hope that I am able to recognize the Compassion Fatigue model as it applies to my current circumstances and apply strategies needed to be successful.

I have chose the slide compassion fatigue trajectory. I found it was really interesting the stages of compassion fatigue. I can relate with zealous, when I first started teaching 18 years ago, I was all about taking on so many projects, like I could do it all. After many years, I'm not so zealous anymore. I have been on the irritable stage but was able to pull out of it and reconnect with the students and listen to their stories of resilience. Young people can teach us many things if we only listen.

The slide that presented the most important information to me was slide 11. The section on spiritual symptoms specifically stood out to me as I could check off everything on that list from November 2020-June 2021. The effort I was putting into my teaching and relationship building with my students took a huge toll on my personal life. I was training for a half marathon and could not mentally focus on it because I would have rather graded assignments and focused on my work than on something I actually find a release in. I was also afraid to see friends and family, not only because of the fear or spreading Covid-19, but because it meant less time focusing on things for work. I developed a poor and pessimistic outlook that made me unpleasant to be around. A break from work this summer has allowed me to work towards rebuilding those spiritual aspects. 

I was not able to attach the screenshot. 

I found all three quotes on slide 2 extremely relevant. I'm not sure how it is possible to build relationships, learn about others' suffereing and not take on a portion of someone's suffering. The definitions, checklist, and graphics in the slides were helpful in summarizing the levels/stages of compassion fatigue. 

Also couldn't upload screenshot...

The section on the 11th slide that listed professional symptoms of compassion fatigue really struck a chord, especially the first one--I have been unable to get work or work-related issues out of my head. Perhaps since this was a year I was taking on a leadership role, I felt this overwhelming sense of insecurity and doubt and stress to the point it would follow me home and into my personal life. I am happy I am developing myself further as a professional but the work-life balance can be challenging.

The slide about the Compassion Fatigue Trajectory was the most impactful for me because I can see myself starting to slide through from the first stage to the second and I would like to make an active effort to stop it before I get too far along this negative trajectory. It is sad to think that there is a prescribed roadmap for the downfall of teachers!

I can not upload the image I want, but the slide is becoming resilient and self-care.  If you are balanced and understand to take care of yourself you will not be fatigued  and you will have compassion and balance in our daily life to achieve good social and emotional well being.

I think the slide in the image I posted is my favorite because it shows self care and balance.   It centers around social, emotional and intellectual well being. 

The slide that resonated with me the most as I think that you may be in more than one phase during a given time. I like how not only are there phases but also details about each phase. I know that I have been through some of these phases. It was interesting to learn about them.