TAKING CARE OF THE TEACHER BEHIND THE MAGIC

June is here - which means sunshine, popsicle, messy outdoor play, and hopefully at least one moment where you get to drink your coffee while it’s still warm. As educators, we spend our days pouring into others: comforting, teaching, encouraging, cleaning, problem-solving, and somehow doing it all again the next day with a smile. But here’s your reminder this month: you matter too. Self-care is not a luxury or something to earn after burnout - it’s part of being the amazing educator you already are. Rest is productive. You are important. And taking care of yourself is one of the best things you can do for children and families who count on you every day.

“If caring is to be maintained, clearly, the one caring must be maintained. She must be strong, courageous, and capable of joy” -Nell Noddings

THE INVITATION BY ORIAH MOUNTAIN DREAMER

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon.

I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life’s betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true.

I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.

If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, ‘Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.

I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.

I want to know what sustains  you from the inside when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

PAUSE, PLAY, RECHARGE

Summer in Northern Colorado is magical. And lucky for us, so much of it is free! After pouring ourselves into our work, there’s something special about stepping outside, soaking up the season, and remembering that joy and community are part of taking care of ourselves too. Here are a few ways to do just that this summer:

FREE CONCERT SERIES

• Bohemian Nights in Old Town Square - The series will be hosted on the outdoor stage in Fort Collins’ Old Town Square from 7-9 pm, May 28th - September 10th. The performances are free and open for all to enjoy!

• Music on the Lawn at Foothills Mall - This FREE concert series takes place every Friday night at 6 pm, starting on June 19th.

• Wednesday Night Concerts in Loveland on the Foundry Lawn - Wednesdays, July 8 - August 26. Food opens at 6pm, Music Begins 6:30pm

CSU FLOWER TRIAL GARDENS: 1401 Remington St, Fort Collins - Walk around and enjoy a beautiful exhibition of perennial and annual flowers by the CSU Department of Horticulture!

BENSON SCULPTURE GARDEN: Located at 2908 Aspen Drive in Loveland, the garden has provided a beautiful and unique outdoor setting for showcasing sculpture since 1985!

FOODIE WALK: This monthly self-guided walking tour from 5 - 8 pm on the third Friday of each month and celebrates the culinary culture and thriving food and beverage retail scene in Downtown Fort Collins.

OLD TOWN TROLLEY RIDES: Ride the Trolley from City Park to Old Town and back! Departs from the Trolley Depot in City Park, 1501 W Oak St. Noon - 5pm, Saturdays, Sundays & National Holidays (weather permitting). Just $2 per adult!

EMBARK ON A SUMMER READING ADVENTURE WITH THESE FUN TITLES!

• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

• People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

• The Secret Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab

• The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

• The Names by Florence Knapp

• By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

• Go as a River by Shelley Read

• Abandoned by Blake Crouch

• Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver