Identity and self care

Explores the connection between Identity and Self-care. Who is this self that we are caring for? Connects to trauma informed care and trauma informed practice.

1. Identity Our experiences and voices are legitimate ways of knowing and valuable assets in framing and speaking to the concerns of students in our classrooms. Like the students who enter our classrooms, our perspectives are unique because of who we are and the context in which we socially, politically, historically, and personally exit. How might you describe a connection between the trauma informed professional and identity? Identity Circles Exercise-Connection between our identities, beliefs, and values and our decisions and behaviors.

2. Identity Circles Within your diagram, please write your name in the center circle. Each additional circle will contain a word or phrase that captures some element of your Identity — those terms or descriptors that have most helped shape who you are and how you interact in the world. Please include words or phrases that other people use to identify you as well. This might be done in a different color, or in pencil rather than in ink.

3. Process Once the question has been stated, everyone will be allowed 1 minute to think. At the end of the 1-minute thinking time, each person will take turns responding, without interruption, to the question or prompt, with 2 minutes allotted for each. If the speaker does not take 2 minutes, the full time should be allowed, being comfortable with the silence. At the end of the second partner’s time, please thank your current partner and say goodbye. The group will shift and participants will have a moment to greet their new partners. The next round of dialogue will begin, with a new question, and with the 1 minute thinking time. The process continues through each round of questions or prompts.

4. Questions and Prompts With which descriptors do you identify most strongly? Why is that? With which descriptors do others identify you most strongly? How do you feel about that? Describe a time when one of the elements of your identity definitely worked to your advantage, either in your educational experience or in other areas of your life. Describe a time when one of the elements of your identity appeared to hold you back, either in your educational experience or in other areas of your life. Talk about a time when your perceptions of a student’s identity caused you to do something that moved her/him forward. Talk about a time when your perceptions of a student’s identity caused you to do something that held her/him back. Talk about a time your identity diminished, lessened, or obscured your awareness of an inequity. Talk about a time your identity heightened your awareness of an inequity.

5. Debrief What might you do differently as a result of engaging in this dialogue? How might you adapt and use this activity? How might you process the emotions that surfaced for you as a result of this dialogue?

6. Self Care Self care is any activity you choose that cares for your mind, heart, and body. Time with Friends Exercise Cooking Hiking/walking Gardening Color/draw/write #Self Care