FORMAT:

• These are online classes or PD workshops that are asynchronous; you work at your own pace! You will sign up for the course/PD hours/workshop through a website and you will have a code to access a google classroom.The course/30 hours of PD will take 7 weeks to complete on your own time; with a high focus on skill development for self-care. The 30 hour option requires no final project.
• The 10 hour PD workshops are virtual and will take 3 weeks to complete on your own time; with a focus in one of three areas: nutrition, fitness or stress management. Each focus area represents one third of the total 30 hour PD (with no projects). You are not required to meet with the instructor and you will receive a certificate of completion once you have done the online assignments.
• You will be given The H.E.A.R.T. Method of Self-Care for Educators, a 250 page workbook to use with the course/30 hour PD, free of charge; 10 hour PD will have a pamphlet.
• NOTE: The course is open enrollment, all online and asynchronous. Students choose a date closest to the date/month they want to start (May 18, 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 July 6, 13, 20).

LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: Google Classroom and Videos

INSTRUCTOR: Rebecca C. Day, M.Ed

COURSE/WORKSHOP COST TO STUDENT: 

• $1400.00: 3 credit Graduate course (includes free 250 page textbook)
• $850.00: 30 Recertification hours (choose on website, includes free 250 page textbook)
• $250.00: 10 Recertification hours – Nutrition (choose on website, includes free 250 page workbook)
• $250.00: 10 Recertification hours – Fitness (choose on website, includes free 250 page workbook)
• $250.00: 10 Recertification hours – Stress Management (choose on website, includes free 250 page workbook)

GRADUATE COURSE/30 HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION:

The stress of teaching has reached an all-time high in the United States. Teachers are asked to fill many roles for a school:  be a teacher of content area, provide social emotional support to students, ensure all learners reach high levels of proficiency in their work, as well- being guardians to the community as stellar role models. Teachers are caring and supportive by nature and they give energy every day to others. Their own personal stress often goes unnoticed, by themselves and others. This course is specifically designed to provide educators with practical self-care strategies that can be implemented immediately. 

The participants in this course will develop a thorough plan for personal self care that will focus on balancing their daily work and personal lives. The course is designed so learners can create their own learning outcomes within the realm of self care. They will be coached by the instructor in the areas of nutrition,exercise, and stress management with an emphasis on habit change. 

The course will discuss the physiology of stress and its impact on the body; help educators identify their own beliefs that can exacerbate daily stress and most importantly help them to establish habits for change that will help diminish stress. 

Participants through their own self growth will bring a renewed energy to their profession and their personal lives. 

AUDIENCE: All teachers and administrators

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• Understand the correlation between self care and the capacity to improve their practice as educators
• Understand the physiology behind stress and the impact it has on the human body
• Understand how to design a plan for self care that can be used daily
• Understand how habit change can impact their personal and professional growth
• Understand contemporary research as it relates to the importance of self care for all professionals and job satisfaction 

STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS:

• Complete the activities in: The H.E.A.R.T Method of Self-Care for Educators workbook
  
• Read assigned weekly sections of each book listed on syllabus and respond to writing prompts
• Identify areas of focus for change in their personal and professional lives by establishing attainable goals
• Keep a reflective journal to chronicle their personal change as it relates to coaching strategies they have experienced in the class
• Be asked to make a connection between self care strategies and teaching performance – via completing course activities and reflections
• Submit 1 final project incorporating new learning from this course. They will be required to connect reflections of their new learning to personal or professional habit change using cited materials from the class

EVALUATION:

• Online submissions: 50% of grade
• Final Project & Activities Completion: 50% of grade
• This will be different for recertification hours – you will submit proof of online course viewing and submissions of work in google classroom only.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND ARTICLES FOR COURSE:

• Anderson, Mike. Rekindle Your Professional Fire: Powerful Habits for Becoming a More Well-Balanced Teacher. ASCD, 2024. (www.amazon.com and kindle)
• Day, Rebecca C.  The H.E.A.R.T. Method of Self-Care for Educators. A published workbook, 2nd Edition, May 2026 (Instructor will send a copy)
• Goldberg, Gravity. The Body Brain Connection. Corwin, May 14, 2025 (amazon and kindle)
• Rowell, Lainie. “3 Ways to Set Boundaries to Protect Your Time and Energy”, Edutopia February 23, 2026
• Tutt, Paige. “The Research on Protecting Teacher Wellness”, Edutopia January 23, 2026

SUGGESTED BOOKS AND ARTICLES:

• Ferlazzo, Larry. “Twelve Strategies Administrators Can Use to Prevent Staff Burnout (And Their Own)”, Education Week, February 23, 2026
• Robbins, Mel. The Let Them Theory. Hay House LLC, December 24, 2024 (amazon and kindle)
• Trenton, Nick. The Art of Letting Go; Stop Overthinking, Stop Negative Spirals and Find Emotional Freedom. PKCS Media, August 29th 2023 (amazon and kindle)

Grading Policy:

Grades are indicated by letters with a designated “quality point” value assigned to each as follows:

• A (4.0)
• A- (3.7)    
• B+ (3.3)  
• B (3.0)  
• B- (2.7)  
• C+ (2.3)

A grade of B- or better must be achieved to count this course toward a graduate degree at VTSU. For questions on transfer pathways, please contact your contact within VTSU’s Department of Education. Additional grading information can be found in the VTSU Graduate Catalog under Academic Policies, Credits & Grading: https://catalog.vermontstate.edu/content.php?catoid=8&navoid=119

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:

Vermont State University upholds high standards of academic integrity from all community members.  Academic integrity encompasses honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and the courage to act on these fundamental values (International Center for Academic Integrity [ICAI], 2021; The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity, 3rd ed.). A student who fails to uphold these values may experience academic consequences including a grade of F, indicating no credit, for assignments or courses, or dismissal from the University. Examples of failure to uphold academic integrity may include using unauthorized aids to complete or enhance academic work, copying another person’s work on exams, quizzes, or assignments, or engaging in other forms of plagiarism.  To plagiarize is to use someone else’s words or ideas without full and proper citation and to present them as one’s own. The sharing of VTSU password and login credentials to misrepresent oneself in online learning is a violation of academic integrity. Violations need not be intentional in nature. All members of the VTSU community are expected to investigate and understand their responsibility to act with integrity, and to seek assistance when uncertain. For more information, please see the VTSU Graduate Catalog Academic Integrity Policy: https://catalog.vermontstate.edu/content.php?catoid=8&navoid=119#academic-integrity

USE AND OWNERSHIP OF COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS:

For information and guidance, faculty and students are referred to the Vermont State Colleges Manual of Policy and Procedures annual disclosure regarding illegal file sharing and the Higher Education Opportunity Act, accessible online at the following address:
https://www.vsc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/VSC-Annual-Notice.pdf

ACCOMMODATIONS:

It is the policy of Vermont State University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and any other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. The university is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities so that no such student shall, by reason of disability, be excluded from participating in or be denied the benefits of services programs or activities at the university. More information is available at https://vermontstate.edu/academics/student-success/disability-services/.

COURSE DROP POLICY:

Vermont State University offers courses to educators with the expectation that participants will complete the course.  However, the University realizes circumstances arise in one’s personal life that may cause disruptions.  The policy for dropping a course is that a participant will notify the instructor in writing of the intent to withdraw from the course.  The withdrawal notice should be made within the first week of the course and should include the reason for withdrawing. After week one, changes in class status will be considered for health, bereavement, and personal or emergency situations only. Those who withdraw without adhering to this policy may receive a failing grade on their transcript and/or be liable for associated course costs.

Please direct any drop requests and questions for this course to the VTSU Center for Schools, cfs@castleton.edu

TRANSCRIPT REQUEST:

– www.castleton.edu/transcripts
– Please direct transcript request questions to registrar@vermontstate.edu.