Greener Shepherd

Labor of Love - Labor Day One of the foundational pillars in our trainings is Happiness. Happiness starts with the self and then extends outward from there. Are you doing things that create happiness within your own life? On this Labor Day, we are reminded that when we labor for something that we love - it doesn't feel like work. If you are laboring in a job/relationship/etc. that does not bring you joy and fulfillment, that is a much harder "task" and it will "tax" the body, mind, and spirit. So today, we invite you to labor in work you enjoy, with people who support you, and in positions where you feel valued, supported, and happy. Find work that is fulfilling for you, and it will be a labor that can withstand the test of time. - Kayla Becker and Nick Kuhle

What can you always count on in Iowa as a new school year starts? ☀ HOT, Humid summer days ☀ And equally hot classrooms in many school buildings (that aren't yet fully air conditioned) On these days, it's especially important to make sure you are staying hydrated and drinking water to replenish (And most of us need to drink more water than we currently do) So set a goal to fill up your water bottle several times throughout the day, and feel the benefits that improved hydration has across your entire body -- From increased mental clarity to joint movement and mobility to less headaches and improved sleep quality -- Increasing your water intake has many benefits, And modeling this good health habit is something we can easily do each day in our classrooms. Stay healthy, stay hydrated, and enjoy your new school year! 📚 - Kayla Becker and Nick Kuhle

To all the teachers, admins, and school leaders who are embarking on a new school year - We wish you great health 🍎🙌🤸♂️ May you -- 🍎 fuel your body with good, wholesome, and nutritious foods 💤 prioritize sleep and rest even when the to-do list is long 💦 hydrate your body with clean, quality water ❌ avoid sugary treats and processed foods that will feel good in the moment but zap your energy and make you crash hours later 🗣 keep the lines of communication open even when it is difficult ✔ widen your perspective when you start to become limited in your thoughts and feelings 🤸♂️ prioritize movement and do so in ways that are fun and enjoyable to you  🙏 breathe fully and deeply, using your breath as a way to bring you back to your center even when life feels chaotic The new year will bring its own stressors but know that when you prioritize yourself and your own well-being, you are more resilient to weather whatever storm comes your way. And we are here to support you. May you enjoy a fun, expanding, and enriching 2024-2025 school year 👨🏫📚👩🔬 - Kayla Becker and Nick Kuhle

What's typically the first to "go" as the new school year starts? All the great habits teachers and school leaders built for themselves over the summer -- Getting more sleep, Spending more time outside, Cooking meals for themselves and family, Extra time for themselves, And the list goes on... As the 2024-2025 school year begins, Remember to continue to prioritize yourself, Even in the hustle and bustle of a busy start to the school year. Commit to continue the great habits you started this summer - They may look different as the school year begins, But prioritizing your health and well-being is the best way you can know without a shadow of a doubt that you WILL have a successful, fun, and enjoyable school year because YOU will be at your best from beginning to end. -Kayla Becker and Nick Kuhle

How did one school improve their culture and climate by over 15% in one school year? They focused on their teachers' and support staffs' health and well-being. School leadership realized that in order to effectively enhance their organizational health post-COVID, they needed to invest in their teachers and staff in a different way. Greener Shepherd provided professional development and trainings to the school's staff across the entire school year, focusing on health, communication, and mindset - from both a personal and professional perspective. As a result, the school saw over a 15% increase in staff satisfaction by year-end and was second highest in the district (of 19 schools) based on their culture and climate survey results. This was a significant increase from years past. "Our staff’s positive feedback in the culture and climate survey highlighted the value of the tools and resources Nick and Kayla offered, which focused on improving overall health. As a result, we have observed a rise in staff positivity and a greater likelihood of staff being present and engaged in supporting our students. We anticipate that this positive shift among our adults will inspire students to adopt a similar healthy mindset. We are truly grateful for the impactful tools and skills Nick and Kayla have provided." - Cary Wieland, principal at Expo Alternative Learning Center What impact would an increased culture and climate have on your school, students, and district? To learn more about the tailored professional development Greener Shepherd offers, please reach out to us at [email protected] - Kayla Becker and Nick Kuhle

Sleep is one of the most under-rated, *free* tools to improve your health and well-being that is often over-looked or ignored. As participants at the School Administrators of Iowa conference took our free assessment last week, we knew when they got to the section that asked about their sleep because we heard many people chuckle and sigh... Why? Because sleep is often one of the first things to "go" when our schedules are full, our life is hectic, and our to-do list seems never-ending. However, that's the exact last thing that you want to have happen. Our bodies need rest, and sleep is the way our bodies recharge and recover from the day's physical, mental, and emotional challenges and stress. Sleep also provides a time for our body to process everything we've experienced that day, which for many of us is a lot. If you are skipping out on your sleep and short-changing yourself from quality rest, you are depriving yourself of one of the 6 Foundational Pillars of Health. To help educational leaders avoid this trap, we devote a portion of our trainings to this Foundational Pillar and ways to prioritize and maximize your sleep, so you are well-rested and healthy for yourself and those you serve. If you are curious about what this could look like at your school or for your leaders, send us a message here or at [email protected] - Kayla Becker and Nick Kuhle

One of the most common responses we heard at the School Administrators of Iowa conference last week was -- "I don't drink enough water." Why? Because most teachers and admin have a difficult time squeezing in bathroom breaks each day. If you aren't a teacher, it can be hard to conceptualize this - but if you are a teacher, you know how true this is. One of the best tips and tools we handed out at SAI were these little salt shakers, which are packed full of minerals. Adding a bit of this salt (not table salt) to your water bottle will help your body absorb the water, rather than causing it to run out of you quickly (aka making you run to the bathroom) - So you can stay hydrated at school. ^^ Hydration has a significant impact on a person's cognitive and physical functioning. Following the tip above is a great place to start to improve your overall health and well-being. - Kayla Becker and Nick Kuhle

Special thanks to School Administrators of Iowa for putting on such a great conference this week! At the event, we had several great conversations with school leaders regarding the health and wellness of their staff members, And we discussed the importance of prioritizing our own health, so we have more to give to the students. As we shared - it all starts by making a commitment to yourself to improve your health and wellness and then having the support, accountability, and training to help you be successful. Greener Shepherd is dedicated to helping your schools and districts do just that -- Create better health and overall well-being for your educational leaders. If you are interested in learning more, send us a message here on LI or email us at [email protected] We're looking forward to talking with you. . . . We'd like to extend a thank you to all those who stopped by our booth to chat. We met so many new individuals, and we even had the opportunity to talk with teachers and admin we worked with in the past, which is always fun. Bonus - Nick Kuhle even saw one of his former student teachers who is now an admin! - Kayla Becker and Nick Kuhle

We are excited to meet and greet you at Booth 102 tomorrow at the School Administrators of Iowa conference! Please stop by, say hi, and chat with us We're here to help you learn something new, And - you even get a bonus if you take our free assessment :) We promise that you'll walk away knowing something that you didn't know before. Let's make it a great event together, - Kayla Becker and Nick Kuhle

The School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) conference is this week, and we're excited to be exhibiting there for the first time. 🎉 We'll be at Booth 102 to share how you can improve the health, well-being, and communication of your teachers and educational leaders, and the far-reaching impact this has on the school community and culture. We're excited to see you there and converse! - Kayla Becker and Nick Kuhle