During the last two Association Rep meetings, educator self-care has been featured. Because we interact with students who endure trauma, it’s not uncommon for educators to experience secondary traumatic stress. Symptoms of secondary traumatic stress include

• Hypervigilance
• Hopelessness
• Inability to embrace complexity
• Inability to listen, avoidance of clients
• Anger and cynicism
• Sleeplessness
• Fear
• Chronic exhaustion
• Physical ailments
• Minimizing
• Guilt

For more information on secondary traumatic stress, check out The National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s Fact Sheet. Olathe District employees, even those who are not covered by a district health insurance plan, can utilize the Employee Assistance Program to help in times of emotional, financial, or even legal distress.