Wellness for Educators

Lori Maxfield
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“Wellness for Educators” is a podcast featuring Lori Maxfield, a retired teacher from central Pennsylvania. It is a place where educators feel valued and appreciated for their service to the future generation. "You need to be well to teach well. "That is the motto. Health and wellness is important for all educators. They need to take time to take care of themselves. This podcast will be updated monthly during the school year. (August- May) Wellness for Educators will provide tips to help educators experience life beyond the classroom.

  1. MAR 4

    Episode #20 Season 3 Leap To Switzerland, Teach With Heart

    Send a text What if a single yes could reshape how you work, live, and care for yourself? We sit down with Kelly Donovan—middle school physical and health educator and well-being coordinator at International School Basel—to trace her leap from Pennsylvania to Switzerland and the lessons she carried across oceans. From the first spark in Mexico City’s international classrooms to a serendipitous invite that opened a door in Basel, Kelly shows how courage, clarity, and community can turn a dream into daily life.We explore the emotional arc of moving abroad—the honeymoon highs, the homesick lows, and the steady rise into adaptation—and the practical supports that made it real: a city voucher for German classes, cross-border routines, and rituals that keep family close. Inside school walls, Kelly walks us through SEE Learning, the Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning framework developed at Emory University. The team began by training teachers in cognitively based compassion practices, proving that student well-being sticks when adults embody it first. The rollout spans early years to grade 12, aligning language, habits, and goals around compassion, resilience, and systems thinking.We also dig into the culture that sustains hard work: leadership that values the person behind the teacher, real holidays with zero email pressure, and a ski week in the Alps that forges trust and grit. Kelly offers a clear path for educators curious about working overseas—mindset shifts, where to find roles (Search Associates and TES), and how to navigate partnerships, logistics, and fear. She closes with daily wellness anchors—movement, rest you don’t have to earn, cooking at home, and the simple act of noticing—as tools any teacher can adopt, anywhere.If this conversation sparks your own leap of faith, hit follow, share with a colleague who needs hope, and leave a review to help more educators find their way. Thoughts from Kelly below: SEE Learning Search Associates TES klc9793@gmail.com  Thanks for listening!

    33 min

  2. FEB 4

    Episode #19 Season 3 Small Habits, Big Energy: Rethinking Fitness For Busy Educators

    Send a text The school day starts before sunrise and ends long after dismissal, and somewhere between lesson plans and parent emails, your back is tight, your energy is low, and sleep keeps slipping. That grind doesn’t have to be your baseline. We invited Pilates and fitness specialist—and former professional dancer—Lane Groser to help us build a smarter, simpler path to feeling strong, mobile, and rested.Lane traces her journey from the studio to coaching and shares a clear framework any educator can use: train your heart with cardio, protect muscle and bone with strength, and safeguard ease with mobility and balance. She cuts through the noise about protein rules and trend-chasing and returns to fundamentals that fit a busy life. You’ll learn posture cues you can use at your desk today—stack ribs over hips, sit on your sit bones, keep a gentle core tone—so your back stops doing all the work. Lane also reframes “core” as a 360-degree system where abs and back share the load, reducing tension and improving alignment.Motivation gets a makeover with three practical methods to beat procrastination: the cleaning method to spark momentum, the boundary method to anchor sessions between fixed events, and the five-minute method to lower the start barrier. We dig into stretching and balance for injury prevention and aging well, and we close with a candid look at sleep. Lane offers a realistic target of eight to nine hours, a calming gratitude wind-down, and a simple fix for early wake-ups: go to bed earlier and give your body the opportunity window it needs.You’ll leave with tools you can use tomorrow: small movement “snacks,” short strength sessions at home, posture resets between classes, and a kinder weekly review using your wearable. Stronger alignment, steadier energy, and better sleep help you teach with patience and joy. If this helped, follow the show, share it with a colleague who could use a boost, and leave a quick review so more educators can find it. Check out Lange Grosser Fitness www.lanegrosserfitness.com instagram.com/lanegrosserfitness facebook.com/lanegrosserfitness Thanks for listening!

    30 min

  3. JAN 7

    Episode #18 Season 3 New Year, Healthier Habits For Teachers

    Send a text A fresh year doesn’t magically create more time between classes, meetings, and grading—so we built a smarter way to pursue wellness that fits the real school day. With health and wellness consultant Dayna Gowan, we dig into practical strategies teachers can use right now: finding hidden insurance perks, shaping a sustainable self-care routine, and bringing simple, joyful energy back into daily life. Think free mindfulness apps through your insurer, short info sessions that boost benefits awareness, and small habits you can actually keep when afternoons get stacked. We also zoom out to the district level. If you’re the person who wants to make wellness real for your campus, Dana lays out a clear path: secure leadership buy-in, involve HR and the benefits team, and recruit a few site advocates to meet regularly. Start small with a wellness corner, add low-lift walking challenges, and ask leaders to participate publicly so culture follows action. Budgets help, but momentum matters more; consistency, clear communication, and visible wins keep people engaged. On the personal side, Dayna’s SELF framework—Sleep, Exercise, Love for yourself, and Food—translates self-care into doable steps. Protect your bedtime, choose movement you enjoy, practice compassion, and stop skipping meals. We even play with mindset: “Find the fun in the mundane” turns routine tasks into a spark of joy, breaking the tunnel vision of burnout without slipping into toxic positivity. Wrap it all together with one habit per quarter, and by year’s end you’ve stacked real change without the crash. If this conversation gives you a nudge, share it with a colleague who needs it, then hit follow and leave a quick review. Your support helps more educators find tools, perks, and hope to teach well—by feeling well. Be sure to check out Dayna's podcast, Improvly Speaking Dayna Gowan Speaker & Facilitator of Fun at Improvly Speaking  | W |   | improvlyspeaking.com E |   | dayna@improvlyspeaking.com Thanks for listening!

    36 min

  4. 12/03/2025

    Episode #17 Season 3 Finding Silence Amongst the Chaos

    Send a text What if five quiet minutes could reset an entire day? We close the year with a focused, practical guide to finding calm in a loud season—especially for teachers who spend every hour juggling decisions, emotions, and endless distractions. Rather than adding another task to your to-do list, we build a small, sustainable habit that creates big returns: a short window of morning silence that lowers stress, resets attention, and restores patience. We unpack why silence is more than peaceful—it’s powerful. Research points to lower cortisol and parasympathetic activation when we pause the noise, and that matters in December when finances, social obligations, and grief often collide with shorter daylight. We share plainspoken steps to make the practice stick: wake a touch earlier, flip your phone face down, set a five-minute timer, breathe or repeat a grounding mantra, and name five things you’re grateful for. If mornings are hectic, we offer creative plan B options, from a no-audio commute segment to carving out a quiet nook with earplugs or a closet beanbag. Throughout, we connect this practice to the classroom. A clearer mind increases tolerance, deepens listening, and helps you respond rather than react—to students, colleagues, and the everyday frictions of traffic, grocery lines, and holiday expectations. You’ll hear reminders from past guests about how movement and journaling can pair with silence, plus realistic planning tips for the night before to protect your calm at sunrise. Start with twice a week, notice what changes first—focus, patience, or gratitude—and let the habit grow from there. Be well to teach well, and find joy in the journey. If this conversation helps, share it with a colleague who could use five minutes of quiet today. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us where you’ll make space for silence this week. Thanks for listening!

    14 min

  5. 11/19/2025

    Episode #16 Season 3 Beyond the Classroom: Balancing Health and Teaching

    Send a text Nutrition expert and former college athlete Sam Rodgers joins the Wellness for Educators podcast to share practical strategies for maintaining health amid the demanding responsibilities of teaching. Sam reveals how his nutrition background led him to create "Dear Dad," a blog that frames wellness conversations as heartfelt letters to overcome the defensiveness many people feel when discussing their eating habits. The conversation delves into the powerful 80-20 principle of health—how food choices make up 80% of our wellness outcomes while exercise contributes 20%. Sam explains why this makes intuitive sense: we eat multiple times daily, making those decisions compound quickly, while exercise benefits accumulate more gradually. Rather than viewing movement as merely weight management, Sam encourages finding joy in physical activity for its mental clarity benefits, describing his running shoes as "one of the most important tools" in his professional arsenal. For educators facing the constant temptation of break room treats and holiday gatherings, Sam offers actionable advice: bring your own healthy snacks, adopt a personal rule to only eat homemade treats (skipping processed store-bought items), and fundamentally shift your mindset to recognize heavily processed foods as marketing products rather than actual nourishment. He addresses the challenge of fitting exercise into packed schedules by sharing his own morning routine and suggesting practical alternatives like lunchtime walks and utilizing school fitness facilities. As we approach the holiday season, Sam provides wisdom about maintaining balance without deprivation. His most profound insight may be recognizing how our culture has extended "holiday-style eating" into a year-round phenomenon—by reserving indulgences for truly special occasions, we can enjoy celebrations guilt-free while maintaining healthy patterns in between. The episode concludes with Sam's powerful reminder that teachers who prioritize their wellness bring more enthusiasm and effectiveness to the classroom, simultaneously modeling healthy behaviors for students who desperately need positive examples in our food-abundant society. What wellness strategy will you implement this week to enhance both your health and your teaching? Listen now to discover practical approaches that serve both you and your students. https://deardadhealth.substack.com/ Dear Dad Blog Thanks for listening!

    25 min

  6. 10/15/2025

    Episode #15 Season 3 One Student's Journey to Breaking the Cycle

    Send a text What does true resilience look like in the face of overwhelming obstacles? Meet Anjelica Rodriguez, who journeyed from a childhood marked by family mental health struggles, financial hardship, and adult responsibilities to become a college graduate, homeowner, and devoted mother breaking generational cycles. When we talk about student potential, Anjelica's story stands as a powerful testament to what's possible with determination and support. As a middle schooler, she balanced schoolwork while helping care for younger siblings in a household where resources were scarce and her mother battled bipolar disorder. By sixteen, her independence led her to move in with her eighteen-year-old sister, working two jobs while maintaining her studies. Today, she's a Penn State graduate working as a resident specialist prioritizing housing for military families. What makes Anjelica's perspective so valuable for educators is her balanced view of her challenges. She acknowledges the difficulties while maintaining deep appreciation for her mother's efforts to create better opportunities. Her advice to teachers working with students from challenging backgrounds is refreshingly direct: "Don't assume." She shares a poignant story about a teacher who refused to accept her money for a school project, making her feel stereotyped rather than supported. For students currently navigating difficult circumstances, Anjelica offers wisdom beyond her years: "Sometimes life is not easy and you go through periods where you are learning and you don't have nothing to pull from. But keep in mind and have faith that at the end of the day, this is just a time." Her message emphasizes perseverance, exposure to possibilities beyond current circumstances, and maintaining faith in future potential. Whether you're an educator seeking to better support students from challenging backgrounds or someone navigating your own difficult journey, this conversation offers practical wisdom about creating supportive spaces, maintaining wellness through intentional practices, and recognizing the extraordinary resilience that can emerge from adversity. Thanks for listening!

    30 min

  7. 09/17/2025

    Episode #14 Season 3 Parenting and Teaching in the Digital Age

    Send a text Veteran educator Brittany Snavely opens up about the delicate balancing act of raising four daughters while pursuing a fulfilling 21-year teaching career in this thought-provoking conversation about modern parenting and educator wellness. Drawing from her experience spanning sixth grade classrooms to her current role as an elementary school librarian, Brittany shares candid observations about how technology has fundamentally changed childhood. "Kids now have this constant sense of 'I need to know right now,'" she notes, describing how today's students struggle with patience and problem-solving when answers aren't immediately available. Her solution? Creating unplugged opportunities with puzzles and card games that spark joy and genuine interaction among her students. The conversation takes a personal turn as Brittany reveals her family's thoughtful approach to teen cell phone usage. Rather than applying blanket rules, she and her husband consider each daughter's unique relationship with technology—allowing their naturally disciplined 16-year-old more freedom while establishing firmer boundaries for their 14-year-old who shows mood changes with excessive screen time. This individualized strategy reflects the intentional parenting philosophy that guides their family life. Perhaps most valuable for listeners is Brittany's practical wisdom about maintaining wellness amid constant demands. Currently on day eight of a modified 75-Day Challenge that includes daily exercise, increased water intake, and mindful choices, she embodies the podcast's motto: "You need to be well to teach well." Her commitment to choosing herself first—even when faced with endless to-do lists—offers inspiration for educators struggling to prioritize their own health. The episode concludes with powerful insights about authentic connection as the foundation of both effective teaching and joyful living. Whether it's meaningful conversations during car rides between activities or mindful moments in nature during lunch breaks, Brittany demonstrates how even the busiest educators can find moments of genuine connection and rejuvenation in their hectic days. Join us for this refreshingly honest conversation about navigating the complex intersection of parenting, teaching, and personal wellness in today's fast-paced world. Your health is a priority—find joy in the journey! Thanks for listening!

    28 min

  8. 08/20/2025

    Episode #13 Season 3 Embracing Change and Challenge in the New School Year

    Send a text Have you ever wondered why we can easily recall our favorite teachers decades later, yet struggle to remember last year's award-winning movie or championship teams? The answer lies in the profound, lasting impact educators have on their students' lives—an impact that extends far beyond test scores and classroom walls. Summer break is winding down, and a new school year approaches with its inevitable challenges, choices, and changes. As educators, you face over a thousand decisions daily, from curriculum implementation to addressing individual student needs. Your attitude toward these challenges—choosing optimism over complaints, embracing change rather than resisting it—sets the tone not just for your classroom but potentially for your students' futures. Teaching isn't merely a profession; it's a calling. Those who approach education as an opportunity to shape young minds report significantly higher levels of satisfaction and fulfillment. When you create safe spaces for children who carry worries and heartbreak alongside their backpacks, when you look beyond test scores to see the whole child, you leave what one grateful parent describes as "fingerprints on hearts, not just paper." These seemingly small gestures—learning each student's name, offering second chances, believing in a child's potential—build confidence that students carry with them long after they've forgotten academic content. As Maya Angelou wisely observed, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." This profound truth forms the foundation of educational impact. While prioritizing self-care through adequate sleep, healthy nutrition, and regular movement, remember that your well-being enables your vital work. You need to be well to teach well, finding joy in the journey as you become "a rainbow in someone's cloud." Share this podcast with colleagues who could use encouragement, and rate and review to help others discover these wellness insights. Let's make the 2025-2026 school year one where both teachers and students thrive! Thanks for listening!

    15 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

“Wellness for Educators” is a podcast featuring Lori Maxfield, a retired teacher from central Pennsylvania. It is a place where educators feel valued and appreciated for their service to the future generation. "You need to be well to teach well. "That is the motto. Health and wellness is important for all educators. They need to take time to take care of themselves. This podcast will be updated monthly during the school year. (August- May) Wellness for Educators will provide tips to help educators experience life beyond the classroom.

Information

  • Creator
    Lori Maxfield
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Wellness for Educators
  • Show Website
    Wellness for Educators