Presenter: Drolette, Ellen

Most professionals in every field occasionally experience flagging motivation and workplace frustration, but in early childhood education, rates of burnout have skyrocketed. We’re all looking for the magic answer to banish the blues, rejuvenate educators, and inspire program leaders. Join keynote speaker, author, and experienced early childhood leader, Ellen Drolette to explore strategies for avoiding burn-out and low morale. Based on the book, Overcoming Teacher Burnout in Early Childhood: Strategies for Change. Ellen will use inspiring stories from the field to examine the structures and practices that support the development of healthy attitudes, quality engagement, and optimism in the workplace.

Participants will partake in polls, use self-reflection, and explore opportunities that will fuel themselves, as well as those they lead. We will focus on some of early education’s biggest struggles: compassion fatigue, mental health, optimism, attitude, and being present. Join Ellen for an uplifting, inspirational, deep dive into morale and build strategies as a team for combatting burnout.

Research and theory will be shared along with resources and handouts. This session is geared toward anyone who works in a group setting as a direct service provider, support staff, program leaders, and administrators.

Join this session to:

• analyze your program’s current practices, as well as your own in regard to feedback loops and self-reflection and how it relates to mental health, environment, and leadership.
• explore why mental health and optimism play a vital role in the lives of early childhood educators.
• begin to create a wellness plan with actionable steps.
• Understand of the importance of mental wellness in early education.