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Months have passed since our powerful webinar on immigration and identity-related trauma. And now, it's summer. The students are (mostly) gone, the classrooms are quiet, and for many educators, there’s a long-awaited opportunity to step back and breathe.
But, unfortunately, the headlines haven’t paused. ICE raids are back in the news. Families are protesting for their rights and safety. The trauma that many of our students—and their educators—carry hasn’t taken a vacation.
If you’re feeling emotionally heavy, heartbroken, or wondering what you will be able to do when the school doors reopen, this is for you. You deserve a break—and you also deserve support. Here’s a gentle guide for this summer: ways to care for yourself now, and low-lift actions to build the kind of school year you (and your students) deserve.
Ashley Wolfe reminded us: "As educators, we sign up to promote student learning, safety, and wellness—this is not a political issue. Every student deserves to thrive." When the world feels like too much, come back to your purpose and your values. Journal. Walk. Call a colleague. Reconnect to your why.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. This summer, give yourself permission to:
* Take breaks from the news and social media
* Sleep in and slow down without guilt
* Move your body (walk, stretch, dance—anything that feels good)
* Practice breathwork, grounding exercises, or just sitting still
Ashley put it simply: *“You have to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Use the tools you offer your students.”
Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. This summer is a great time to:
* Reconnect with peers who understand your values
* Join a support group or educator circle (we'll finally be running our book club - you can sign up here)
* Meet with local organizations who share your vision of inclusive schools
Amanda Ercilla Treviño shared that she didn’t do this work alone—she leaned on student leaders, community allies, and fellow educators. You can too.
The words we say shape how safe students feel. Amanda shared one phrase she repeats often: *"In the classroom with me, you are safe."*
Now’s the time to practice language that:
* Affirms every student’s belonging
* Reflects your core values
* Helps you feel confident when tough conversations arise
Write a few statements down. Try them on. Say them out loud until they feel natural. Your students—especially those impacted by immigration policy—need to hear them loud and clear.
Even 30 minutes of reflection can shape your next year. Think about:
* What messages you want students to hear from day one
* What changes you want to try in your classroom culture
* What systems you need to support your vision (tools, teams, PD, etc.)
This is also the time to start exploring new supports. Clayful is one way to give students real-time mental health coaching while relieving the pressure on you. Whether it’s for one school or the whole district, now is the moment to reach out and get it in place before the fall.
When you're ready, revisit these blog posts too:
You don’t need to hustle this summer. But you can heal. You can root deeper into your values. And you can begin building the foundation for a more human-centered school year.
Even when things feel out of your control, your words, your presence, and your leadership matter. Especially now.
Because this work matters. And so do you 💛