Virtual PD

Last week, I hosted a call with Dr. Jamie Freeny where we discussed self-care. I could see from the nods of attendees that Dr. Freeny's powerful words really resonated.

It feels great to be right! We always knew investing time in our afterschool program youth contributed to their success.

One thing that 2020 reinforced is the importance of afterschool professionals and leaders prioritizing our own physical and mental health and taking care of ourselves to better support our communities.

This group - an Executive member benefit - will provide space to connect with other afterschool professionals and leaders so that self-care remains a priority in 2021. Here you can share ideas and resources, ask questions, and motivate one another as our field takes on the challenge of meeting the needs of kids, families and communities. Log in to your membership to access link.

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Stress can reach every aspect of life, whether professional, personal, or social. As an afterschool professional, you likely also feel the stresses of youth in your care, compounding your own stress. You serve as a caring, stable adult to youth and are vital to their participation in afterschool.

To ensure you provide youth with the best care possible and are responsive to their needs, it’s essential to place importance on your own well-being and self-care.

The Afterschool Professional’s Guide to Self-Care provides information on the basics of self-care, in addition to practical self-care actions and strategies for managing your mindset to cope with stress.

The eBook is a member benefit and is accessible on the Program Resources page of your membership profile..

LOG IN TO ACCESS     JOIN NAA (IT'S FREE)

2020 is almost over. And whether you've spent most of your time making bread or Zooming in bed, staring at a ceiling or working on healing, marching in the streets or indulging in sweets, rallying votes or collecting winter coats—this is a year we'll remember.

If someone throws you a ball, you'll probably catch it. You'll probably at least reach for it. Even if there's no real reason for you to, you probably will.

What if opportunities for children and young people's learning and development were a much higher priority in our country and communities? What if we were more intentional about how opportunities to learn and develop were offered and by whom?

Even during a pandemic when afterschool professionals have been pulled in every direction imaginable, meeting the social-emotional needs of the young people remains a top priority.

Thursday, January 21, 2021 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET (12 PM CT, 11 AM MT, 10 AM PT)
Sponsored by:

Afterschool professionals face enormous challenges to support students in the STEM fields, especially during the recent pandemic. But STEM can be successfully implemented when educators are supported with hands-on resources and curriculum that are based on best practices!

Join us in this exciting hands-on workshop and learn how to integrate STEM in your afterschool program or at home. Bring your problem-solving skills as we construct several STEM activities and learn how to create a blended learning environment. We'll highlight several inexpensive, hands-on resources that integrate STEM. These STEM activities exemplify the benefits of project-based learning to enable students to transfer their knowledge and skills to real-world problems, to be motivated to learn, and to improve their math and science scores.

Whether your program is operating afterschool, at home, or hybrid, STEMfinity provides the roadmap for afterschool providers to adopt a successful approach.

REGISTER

Presenters:

Jason Lindsey (aka Mr Science)
Hooked on Science Videos

Bill Albert
CEO & Founder, STEMfinity

About STEMfinity:

STEMfinity is a One-Stop STEM Shop that includes the latest, vetted STEM products and services. We have the largest selection of hands-on enrichment from the most trusted STEM brands on the planet. Our hands-on resources are targeted to PreK-12 students learning STEM, Robotics, 3D Printing, Drone Technology, AR/VR/AI, Art, Computer Science, Rocketry and Beyond. STEMfinity provides Customized STEM Solutions for At-home Learning, Afterschool, Makerspace, and Summer Enrichment Programs. Join STEMfinity in its effort to provide today’s youth with hands-on tools that will STEMulate Your Mind!

Today's world brings a host of exhausting challenges that necessitate extra attention to the health and well-being of our field's professionals.