Hi! I'm Dr. Rebecca Branstetter, founder of The Thriving School Psychologist Collective Online Course and author of The School Psychologist's Survival Guide.
We all know things get crazy in the spring for school psychologists. While "March Madness" usually conjures up images of basketball for most people, for us school psychs, March Madness is something waaaaay different.
In March, we start to get 8 hojillion assessment referrals and we find ourselves going crazy trying to keep on top of it all until the lonnnnnnng stretch to summer break.
You can't always change your crazy caseload, but you can take 4 steps to change your mindset and behavior to make it all more manageable.
Sign up below to receive one email a week in the month of March with pro-tips in quick videos and a PDF of the "Final Four" techniques to use to keep ahead of the game! (sooooo many basketball puns...just embrace it!)
MARCH MADNESS VIDEO: WEEK ONE
Decision Fatigue vs. Simplification
Ever wonder why you're so tired at the end of the day? As school psychologists, we are constantly on our toes, making rapid fire decisions and constantly prioritizing and reprioritizing our caseload (all while getting new priorities handed to us all day). We can't necessarily change the nature of our work, but we can simplify our decision making and free up our energy. Learn how to win the Simplification game with these strategies!
MARCH MADNESS VIDEO: WEEK TWO
Dopamine vs. Serotonin
In this video, you will learn the which of these two neurotransmitters can be fostered during the school day to prevent burnout. Learn how a few simple changes in your behaviors at work and at home can foster a sense of calmness and more happiness at work (no matter what chaos or stress comes your way!)
MARCH MADNESS VIDEO: WEEK THREE
Prioritization vs. Endless To-Do List
We all know that the to-do list of a school psychologist seems to grow exponentially and have baby to-do lists with each passing day in the spring. How do you cope? Is learning how to prioritize enough? Is there a winning strategy for figuring out how to prioritize your caseload when it ALL is important? Watch this video to find out! .
MARCH MADNESS VIDEO: WEEK FOUR
Obligation vs. Conscious Choice
Do you ever feel like you're at the mercy of circumstances and there's nothing you can do but work harder and harder to make your deadlines (and cut into your weekends--noooooo!)? Learn strategies for moving away from the I HAVE TO work overtime mindset and behaviors to making CONSCIOUS CHOICES that will help with both your caseload and your stress levels.
Dr. Rebecca Branstetter is a school psychologist, speaker, and author on a mission to help public school psychologists manage their stress, improve their efficacy and enjoyment in their work, and prevent getting burned out so they can focus on what they love to do—being champions for helping children be the best they can be in school and in life and supporting educators and families.
In her blog, Notes from the School Psychologist and online professional development course for school psychologists, The Thriving School Psychologist Collective, Rebecca collaborates with school psychologists across the country to help them move from surviving in the profession to thriving.
For more, visit www.thrivingschoolpsych.com.
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