Empowering Educators to Strengthen Their Core
About Monica
Monica M. Butler, Ed. S. is a retired teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing and public school administrator. While in the classroom, she and her colleagues noticed how the conversations in the teachers’ lounge, hallways and after-school were becoming quite negative. Teacher stress was increasing rapidly and was starting to spill over to the classrooms. Clearly, this was not healthy for anyone.
A fellow teacher shared an eye-opening resource about school culture and climate and they decided to put some new ideas into practice. The book, The Power of Positive Students by William Mitchell inspired Monica and her colleague to develop a teacher morale program. The program was designed to combat the stress and overwhelm that the teachers and other staff members were experiencing. Encouraging educators to improve the climate of the building and their classrooms was the goal they were seeking to achieve. Monica credits this teacher morale initiative with helping her win the 1997 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year award.
When Monica left the classroom to become an administrator, the stress reemerged and truly took its toll. As the Director of Special Services for a 9,000+ student school district, Monica struggled with setting boundaries and making her health and wellness a priority. Even after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease, Monica failed to make many of the changes she needed.
Like many, Monica struggled with putting herself first….even when it was impacting her health. A lifelong people pleaser, she needed to learn how to exert herself and focus on her own self-care. This was a process that took several years. While focusing on her own health and wellness, Monica decided to pursue a career as a health and wellness coach.
When she retired from her career as an educator, Monica began coaching clients 1:1 and conducting group challenges. Monica has worked with numerous clients helping them accomplish their health and wellness goals. Weight loss, quitting smoking, establishing morning and evening routines as well as incorporating more movement into their days have all been integral supports for her clients seeking relief from stress. She has also successfully led dozens of 12 week health and wellness challenges. Clients have benefitted and enjoyed their experiences.
When Monica retired, she thought she had left the school yard behind and was on to solely working 1:1 with clients. She now works with teachers, administrators and school districts supporting them in developing health and wellness routines and habits that allow them to rekindle the joy in their work.
I have heard Monica speak on several occasions both in small groups as well as listened to her speeches in preparation for larger group presentations. Her passion for self-care and how it can truly benefit all areas of life is very evident. Before I met Monica. I too, thought self care was just "pampering" oneself by manicures, massages etc. but she has taught me it is so much more than that. She engages her audience and as a former educator, she knows how important it is for educators to take care of themselves so they can educate our youth. She is passionate as well as entertaining to listen to.
~ Renee K.
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3 Reasons to Book Monica
Speaker and presenter Monica Butler became a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach following a 35-year career as a public school teacher and administrator. She has extensive knowledge and expertise in a wide range of important topics related to wellness, including nutrition, physical activity, stress management, healthy habits, and sleep.
As a former teacher and administrator, Monica knows firsthand the impact of stress on administrators, teachers, and students. She understands the unique challenges and demands that educators face on a daily basis. In her presentations, Monica provides practical and relevant strategies to help improve the overall educational environment as well as the health and well-being of the staff.
By engaging Monica for your event, you are investing in the health and well-being of your teachers and administrators, which will have a direct impact on students. Healthy and well-rested teachers and administrators are better equipped to handle the demands of their jobs and provide high-quality instruction to their students.
Monica Butler is a professional speaker that I’ve heard many times present speeches and workshops at our Toastmasters’ club meetings. Her topics are always well researched and presented in a way to be easily understood by her audience. She engages the audience with questions and always leaves us with something to ponder.
~ Anja G
Popular Speaking Programs
Addressing Educator Stress:
A THREE-Pronged Approach
School districts nationwide have become more attuned and attentive to students, teachers, and staff members’ mental, emotional, and physical health and wellness. For good reason! Stressed, overburdened, and exhausted staff continue to wrestle with fatigue and burnout. Educators need practical action steps toward real solutions to this complex and growing concern.
This workshop approaches the issue on three levels – individual, collaborative, and systemic – and identifies and creates action steps to address the increasing rate of educator dissatisfaction, burnout, and attrition.
All stakeholders must be involved in frequent, open, and honest planning sessions on ways to address this crisis. We need to develop a solution-based approach.
Participants will:
- Understand how individuals’ self-care impacts mood, productivity, and ultimately, student success.
- Identify barriers to workplace wellness and collaboratively brainstorm practical solutions to each concern.
- Analyze the most prevalent external factors impacting teacher stress and suggest ways to address them.
Request Monica to Speak
Self-Care for Administrators
What I Wish I Had Known!
Districts are grappling with a number of staffing issues. Employing and retaining creative, enthusiastic, and competent educators is certainly a priority. As stress and overwhelm increase, self-care and health and wellness often decrease or go by the wayside completely.
This workshop will remind school leaders of the importance of their own health and wellness by emphasizing self-care practices as performance recovery. Participants will learn to practice micro, macro, and habitual performance recovery techniques designed to support and rejuvenate busy, overburdened, and fatiguing administrators.
Participants will:
- Determine their Health & Wellness Quotient and select an area of concern to target
- Develop strategies to improve their personal wellness
- Learn the FIVE most important reasons why self-care is essential for our leaders
- Understand how self-care impacts their work and decision making and ultimately student success
- Identify ways to encourage a healthier work environment
Request Monica to Speak
All inquiries regarding booking Monica for speaking engagements or special appearances can be made through her contact page. Please ask for a speaking kit upon submission.
Click Here to Book Monica For Your Next Event
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1997 NJ State Teacher of the Year
Accreditations
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† © 2005 Integrative Nutrition Inc. (used with permission) †† © 2007 Integrative Nutrition Inc. (used with permission)
† © 2005 Integrative Nutrition Inc. (used with permission) †† © 2007 Integrative Nutrition Inc. (used with permission)