Ad Astra per Aspera is Latin for "to the stars through difficulties". When anti-slavery activist John James Ingalls coined the Kansas motto in 1861, he honored Kansans’ unique optimism and aspiration to rise above during tough times. The phrase holds deep meaning for this cross-disciplinary panel from the USA’s heartland. The global pandemic, oppressive systems, and economic disparities compound the lived experiences of students around the world as well as their teachers. Schools have an important role to play in providing stable, safe spaces for learners and connecting them to caring adults (McInerney, & McKlindon, 2014); unfortunately, trauma-informed education is not a core component of teacher preparation. Furthermore, school systems rarely conceptualize educators’ self-care as essential to their performance. The panelists champion the ethical mandate of self-care; creativity and self-care practices are regarded not as luxuries, but as critical in mental health care and education. Self-care and self-awareness build educators’ capacity to ameliorate, rather than contribute to, learners’ trauma. Panelists will introduce to the effects of trauma, the wide-ranging implications of adverse experiences on both students and professionals, principles of trauma-informed care, and constructs of mindfulness and positive psychology. Participants will engage in a mindfulness-based, positive psychology-informed, no-talent necessary, arts-based experience they can bring back to their schools and share with colleagues and learners! Interactive conversations will provide opportunities to build connections and share experiences. Materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring smart phones or tablets to find inspiration.

Authors:
Gaelynn Wolf Bordonaro, Emporia State University, United States
Nancy Richard Albrecht, Emporia State University, United States
Paula Basten-Erath, Aspen Family Counseling, United States
Barry Erath, Aspen Family Counseling, United States
Carloyn Richard-Davis, Unified School District #368 Madison-Virgil, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Gaelynn Wolf Bordonaro is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at Emporia State University, United States

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