Chat Transcripts

Topic

Week 2 Chat

Date

2025-10-21

Group ID

0

Course ID

306333

User List

Dunaisky, KarleneGreiner, CourtneyRivera Mercado, DarleneTiegs, Sherry{Lowe, Brenda}
User Timestamp Message
{Lowe, Brenda}06:57:10 pmHello everyone how are you?
Tiegs, Sherry06:57:52 pmGood!
{Lowe, Brenda}06:58:20 pm😍😍😍
{Lowe, Brenda}06:59:06 pmWe will give everyone a few more minutes to hop on and then I'll take attendance
{Lowe, Brenda}07:00:09 pmHi Courtney
{Lowe, Brenda}07:00:16 pmHi Karlene
Greiner, Courtney07:00:22 pmHello!
Dunaisky, Karlene07:00:53 pmHi
{Lowe, Brenda}07:01:31 pmWell it's 7:01 and I'm not sure quite where everyone is but we are going to jump in and welcme our friends as they join us. *
Tiegs, Sherry07:01:40 pm*
Greiner, Courtney07:01:52 pm*
Dunaisky, Karlene07:02:12 pm*
{Lowe, Brenda}07:02:26 pmI'm in FL at my beach house for the week. That's been the highlight for me. How about y ou? Anything exciting or eventful?
Greiner, Courtney07:03:02 pmI presented at the St. Louis co board meeting this morning about childcare. It was a really great opportunity!
Tiegs, Sherry07:03:07 pmJust finished up the state childcare conference, and it was great to see everyone.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:03:16 pmOh wow that's important and amazing Courtney
{Lowe, Brenda}07:03:22 pmI'm glad you had the opportunity
{Lowe, Brenda}07:03:37 pmSherry those connections are super important
{Lowe, Brenda}07:03:45 pmGlad you could go
Dunaisky, Karlene07:04:39 pmI just did a grocery run! Hahah.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:04:41 pmCan you believe we are in week 2 already - time flies
{Lowe, Brenda}07:04:52 pmFor housekeeping...
Tiegs, Sherry07:04:54 pmIt goes quickly!
{Lowe, Brenda}07:05:24 pmIf you have not completed your discussion board yet AND respond to x3 of your peers you'll need to get that done tonight after chat
{Lowe, Brenda}07:05:30 pmthat way I can check you off the list
Tiegs, Sherry07:05:57 pmWhat should we do if there aren't 3 peers? Should we monitor the past week and make comments
{Lowe, Brenda}07:06:21 pmYes you can go in and make quick comments - I can see more have participated now
{Lowe, Brenda}07:06:55 pmIf there are ever not x3 in there by chat then keep moving - I'll make a note that YOU participated if that makes sense
Tiegs, Sherry07:07:20 pmO.K.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:07:31 pmIt's hard when you have a small cohort cuz you are trying towait on everyone to complete it but then again you run out of time
Dunaisky, Karlene07:07:45 pmOk. I only saw one today.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:08:01 pmTECHNICALLY by Sunday night all should have and then respond to peers by Tuesday
Rivera Mercado, Darlene07:08:02 pm*
{Lowe, Brenda}07:08:12 pmThat's not good. I can see more than one... hmmmmm
{Lowe, Brenda}07:08:25 pmok do what you can. I wonder if tech is glitchy
Tiegs, Sherry07:08:28 pmI could only see one too
{Lowe, Brenda}07:08:29 pmHi Darlene
Rivera Mercado, Darlene07:08:37 pmHello!
Tiegs, Sherry07:08:49 pmI will look again after chat
Dunaisky, Karlene07:08:55 pmThat was this morning. Busy day here.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:08:56 pmAny questions for me so far
Greiner, Courtney07:09:12 pmI apologize for doing mine so late-I’ve been ill and then was at a symposium in Cincinnati over the weekend. I’ve been trying to catch up
{Lowe, Brenda}07:09:23 pmno worries Courtney
{Lowe, Brenda}07:09:46 pmI hope y ou are feeling better. I've been hearing of so much illness. Gross
Greiner, Courtney07:09:56 pmMy body doesn’t listen when I say we can’t get sick
{Lowe, Brenda}07:10:12 pmAre you ready to roll up your sleeves? *
Tiegs, Sherry07:10:19 pm*
Greiner, Courtney07:10:21 pm*
Dunaisky, Karlene07:10:34 pm*
Rivera Mercado, Darlene07:10:41 pm*
{Lowe, Brenda}07:10:44 pmOk first question - What is your understanding of compassion fatigue? How does it affect you when working in early childhood education program?
Tiegs, Sherry07:11:15 pmCompassion fatigue is the emotional and physical exhaustion that can develop from caring for others who are experiencing stress or trauma. In early childhood education, it can appear as irritability, decreased patience, or feeling emotionally drained after supporting children and families with challenging needs. Over time, it may affect the ability to stay fully present, empathetic, and joyful in interactions with children.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:11:35 pmYesss Sherry!
{Lowe, Brenda}07:11:51 pm🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
Greiner, Courtney07:11:53 pmCompassion fatigue happens when you’re giving all of your emotional energy and care to others and then feel completely drained
{Lowe, Brenda}07:12:09 pmYesss, ok you all are makaing my night seriously. Great power words
{Lowe, Brenda}07:12:58 pmemotional and physial exhaustian.... completely drained..... challenging needs. It sounds like you have experienced this before either with colleagues or even yourself
Greiner, Courtney07:13:03 pmIt makes it very difficult to stay fully present or give kids the warmth and support they need
Tiegs, Sherry07:13:11 pmI have several children in my childcare with a special need. It happens from time to time.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:13:58 pmYes and what is crazy is that it sneaks up on you. You don't realize it until you are ready to pull your hair out - or someone elses
Tiegs, Sherry07:14:20 pmYes!
Rivera Mercado, Darlene07:14:29 pmCompassion fatigue affects to have a good team with your co-worker and you know it’s key to maintain a good team to have a good control of kiddos.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:14:33 pm🤣😂
Dunaisky, Karlene07:14:43 pmI believe it is also caused from the mental load we carry we carry when we care for so many with high needs or trauma responses
{Lowe, Brenda}07:15:13 pmSO true Darlene. It's so important or you WONT maintain those healthy relationships and have healthy communication. both in and out of work actually
Dunaisky, Karlene07:15:25 pmSherry I have the same here, many non- 0r barely verbal
{Lowe, Brenda}07:15:56 pmThat takes it's toll! Behaviors erupt when communication is an issue
Tiegs, Sherry07:16:07 pmI love it, it is rewarding, but draining some days
{Lowe, Brenda}07:16:08 pm*
Tiegs, Sherry07:16:14 pm*
Dunaisky, Karlene07:16:17 pm*
Greiner, Courtney07:16:23 pm*
{Lowe, Brenda}07:16:27 pmReflect on Nefertiti’s Top 5 Resilience-Building Strategies for Adults. Which strategy resonated with you the most? Which strategy will you implement to support the perseverance of your mental wellness?
Tiegs, Sherry07:17:08 pmThe strategy that resonated with me most was “Do, Delegate, Stop.” It’s a powerful reminder that we don’t have to do everything ourselves and that setting limits is an important part of self-care. In early childhood work, it’s easy to take on too much, but learning to prioritize what truly matters helps protect my energy and focus. I plan to implement this strategy by identifying daily tasks I can delegate or let go of, allowing more time for rest and reflection.
Rivera Mercado, Darlene07:17:17 pm*
Greiner, Courtney07:17:20 pmThe spending time with people that bring you joy, I am am a external and verbal processor so being able to spend time with people who are fun and can make light of our situation is really helpful
Dunaisky, Karlene07:18:09 pmDo Delegate STOP! Stop is the one I forget and I do not have anyone to delegate to throughout the day so that's a challenge as well. I often delegate to "my future self" 🙂
{Lowe, Brenda}07:18:22 pmHmmm Sherry that's good. I sopposed that's why delegation is so important and a skill I think we don't strengthen because we are so use to doing ourselves
{Lowe, Brenda}07:18:54 pmCourtney you remind me of my daughter. She says that all the time. She is a 'time spent together person and that is her love language actually
Tiegs, Sherry07:19:22 pmI think the delegate can go back to families too. I do not have anyone and sometimes they like to ust dump and go thinking I know how to handle everything. But they are their child's first teacher and we are a partnership.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:19:26 pmKarlene I do the same exact thing. I grew up with... if you want it done right.....you know the rest. Not a good habit I know
{Lowe, Brenda}07:20:03 pmYes true Sherry. Sometimes we just don't have anyone we can delegate too at home or at work. this adds the stress
Greiner, Courtney07:20:13 pmIt’s kind of interesting because I love spending time with people, but also can get people out and need a break from it all
Tiegs, Sherry07:20:25 pmI'm that way too and I'm working on it. It goes back to highschool and group projects 🙂
{Lowe, Brenda}07:20:41 pm😁
Dunaisky, Karlene07:20:43 pmSherry, that is so true. putting things back to the parents instead of thinkiing we need to do it all. And doing that in a way that is gracious
{Lowe, Brenda}07:21:27 pmCourtney that's me. I'm a big extrovert until I am not and just need to recoup - tired of talking and socializing. I think in a way we have to do it all day every day in our field and it gets exhausting
{Lowe, Brenda}07:21:41 pm*
Dunaisky, Karlene07:21:45 pm*
Rivera Mercado, Darlene07:21:49 pm*
Tiegs, Sherry07:21:50 pm*
Greiner, Courtney07:21:51 pm*
{Lowe, Brenda}07:22:13 pmThe next question is a smooth transition to what we were just talking about - What would you include in your self-care toolbox? Explain the significance of why you chose these activities, materials, or tools.
Tiegs, Sherry07:23:21 pmI would include calming music, a journal, nature walks, deep-breathing exercises, and time with supportive friends. I chose these because they help me slow down, process emotions, and reconnect with what matters most. Journaling allows reflection after challenging days, while nature and movement help release stress physically. Music and breathing exercises provide quick ways to reset during busy moments, and social connection reminds me I’m not alone in this work. It helps me stay grounded and give my best to the children.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:24:25 pmLove this Sherry. Many of these are on my self care list. In fact I literally made a list in my phone of 'go to' items for when I'm super stressed. When I'm stressed it's hard for me to think about 'what I need' in the moment so my ready list helps
Greiner, Courtney07:24:48 pmMy toolbox would include time outdoors, connection with others, quiet time, I really enjoy coloring as well or putting together Legos.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:25:03 pmWhat you said about reflection is huge. I have a mom devotional notebook where I can write my reflection notes there.
Dunaisky, Karlene07:25:04 pmmy self care tool box would be very quiet. Quiet spaces for my mind and body to unwind. I protect my space this way - my room is my room. sparsely decorated, soft colors, essetial oil diffuser, books and soft light. I also use jigsaw puzzles, quilting and phone calls with friends and walks.
Tiegs, Sherry07:25:36 pmBrenda! I love the idea of making a list to check into. It makes it so intentional and a productive resource. I love that!
{Lowe, Brenda}07:26:00 pmOh I love those too Courtney. Especially the outdoors. There is something magical that happens when we spend so much time inside with the stressors and when we step outside it's like...ahhhhhhhhhh
Dunaisky, Karlene07:26:01 pmthe list is a great idea Brenda!
Dunaisky, Karlene07:26:23 pmLeggos are a cool idea courtney:).
Tiegs, Sherry07:26:24 pmCourtney, I see a lot of participants at my training coloring or crocheting. It is soothing for a lot of people. I love it too.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:26:43 pmThank you. When I get grumpy if I can catch myself I'll pull my list and just stare at it until I pick something and 'start' taking care of myself in that moment
{Lowe, Brenda}07:26:52 pmI had not thought of legos. Awesome
Greiner, Courtney07:27:13 pmIt’s so interesting because I think when I was in elementary school, I would get in trouble for doodling and now it’s become much more prevalent and it’s incredibly helpful when concentrating if you have any sort of attention issues
{Lowe, Brenda}07:27:18 pmI recently started crochet - I'm a newbie. I also love playing solitare with real cards. I don't know what it is lol
{Lowe, Brenda}07:27:42 pmYes Courtney. Now it's suggested to color and have fidgits when you go to conferences even!
Dunaisky, Karlene07:27:54 pmhumor is often a tool I turn to in the moment of a day. I like to use silly voices with the kids and create strange accents. It breaks the moment and reminds me to let go a bit
{Lowe, Brenda}07:28:21 pmMy daughter colors with markers in her devotional. She got a large pack and it's inviting when you see it.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:28:47 pmKarlene I'm glad you said that. I am a big humor person. I say if your don't laugh you'll cry
Dunaisky, Karlene07:29:04 pmcoloring is one of the first strategies I use with my littles who are disregulated.....works with us grown ups too!
{Lowe, Brenda}07:29:25 pmKarlene yes and also children who have experienced trauma. It's an outlet
Tiegs, Sherry07:29:32 pmBubbles and playdough are great for my littles that get dysregulated too
Dunaisky, Karlene07:29:57 pmwe made new warm orange playdough today! it was heavenly!
Greiner, Courtney07:30:02 pmToday in my presentation I said “we are currently wiping the bums of the people who will some day be wiping ours”-trying to say we should invest in our littles. It made me laugh but the room was silent. 😂
Tiegs, Sherry07:30:24 pmLOL!
{Lowe, Brenda}07:30:25 pmOnce I had a little peson who's dad went to jail. He wanted to write him a letter - he was just 4. So he drew and we gave it to mom. I pulled her aside and told her that it's her choice if she ever gives it but explained the purpose behind it. The child calmed each time he 'wrote his letter
Greiner, Courtney07:30:30 pmI was anxious and it did help relieve some of that
Dunaisky, Karlene07:30:32 pmthey have no sense of humor Courtney! that was great
{Lowe, Brenda}07:30:47 pmCourtney that is hilarious. I'm giggling now
{Lowe, Brenda}07:31:01 pmI can't believe the room was silent - that's even funnier!!!
Dunaisky, Karlene07:31:19 pmsuch a sweet story Brenda
Tiegs, Sherry07:31:23 pmI like the letter idea too Brenda. It gives them a little bit of control and connection
{Lowe, Brenda}07:31:32 pmRight exactly
{Lowe, Brenda}07:31:42 pmHey - I was desperate!
{Lowe, Brenda}07:31:51 pm*
Rivera Mercado, Darlene07:32:08 pm*
Greiner, Courtney07:32:09 pm*
Tiegs, Sherry07:32:10 pm*
Dunaisky, Karlene07:32:11 pm*
{Lowe, Brenda}07:32:54 pmI remember the moment I finally got through to him and I asked if he missed his dad. he could barely respond and broke into tears through his tantrum. I knew in that moment if I could help him release his feelings it would be helpful
{Lowe, Brenda}07:33:05 pmok - The quality of care is compromised when early childhood educators are constantly exhausting their efforts and means to support their learning community. Do you feel program administrations are doing their part in designing a trauma-responsive environment for both children and teachers?
{Lowe, Brenda}07:33:29 pmthis is a big question I know
Tiegs, Sherry07:34:12 pmI believe many program administrations are making progress toward creating trauma-responsive environments, but it is still a work in progress. While children’s needs are often prioritized, the emotional well-being of educators can be overlooked. A truly trauma-responsive program must support both. This means offering mental health resources, reflective supervision, realistic workloads, and time for self-care. When educators feel valued, supported, and emotionally safe, they are better able to provide nurturing, consistent care for children. Supporting wellness is not optional, it’s an essential part of maintaining quality and stability in early childhood programs.
Greiner, Courtney07:34:23 pmI think administrators try, but I also believe that there is a lack of resources that make it really hard
Greiner, Courtney07:35:04 pmWe are so short on workforce and financial support that we continue to ask a lot of our teachers
Dunaisky, Karlene07:35:14 pmI believe that most do the best they can with what they know, with more work to be done. It is hard in our field to provide the time, money and other resources necessary
{Lowe, Brenda}07:35:20 pmhmmm I see both of you are acknowledging the efforts but are recognizing that this area is still a work in progess
Greiner, Courtney07:35:34 pmQuality cost money and there isn’t a lot of that going around in the early care and education field
{Lowe, Brenda}07:36:09 pmI agree Courtney and I also think .... many leaders just don't know where to start
Tiegs, Sherry07:36:15 pmThere is such a shortage of childcare professionals, family childcare and center staff, that it is high stress everywhere.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:36:39 pmSherry you took the words out of my mouth that the emotions of the educators are often overlooked
{Lowe, Brenda}07:36:42 pmI wonder why that is
Dunaisky, Karlene07:36:53 pmI believe it is one reason our workforce is depleting so fast in the past few years
Rivera Mercado, Darlene07:37:14 pmThat is true sometimes I’m between two classrooms at a time because no one wants to work childcare anymore
{Lowe, Brenda}07:37:15 pmKarlene I was just thinking that
Greiner, Courtney07:37:43 pmMarleen, I absolutely agree. I presented on a shared service model that would provide support in classrooms and for family providers. We provide care in such a punitive isolating system currently.
Tiegs, Sherry07:37:44 pmI used to be a director many years ago, and now I have my own childcare. The money comes with the children and that has to be taken care of first. They are definitely overlooked.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:37:46 pmAlso, I think that with the depletion it's leaving everyone desperate and frantic and so it's all programs can do to hold on. Emotional well being is low on the totum pole
Greiner, Courtney07:37:51 pmKarlene*
Dunaisky, Karlene07:38:07 pmOur model and system is broken. Our caregivers can be amazing when given what they need
{Lowe, Brenda}07:38:11 pmYessss Darlene that is exactly what I'm talking about and it happens all the time
{Lowe, Brenda}07:38:52 pmSherry the shortages are bad and then the folks coming to work for us don't have the experiences needed and the veterans are leaving or retiring.
Tiegs, Sherry07:38:54 pmThe boards that oversee some programs do not have the background to recognize the need.
Tiegs, Sherry07:39:10 pmI agree Brenda
Dunaisky, Karlene07:39:47 pmso knowing all this adds to the load we carry into our classrooms every day.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:39:48 pmIt's sad. And when I see a child in the programs I cansee the joy in the child's eye and it brings me hope. I remember why I started in this field in the first place
{Lowe, Brenda}07:39:56 pmexactly Karlene
{Lowe, Brenda}07:40:06 pmon top of our own stuff from home
{Lowe, Brenda}07:40:14 pmhmmmm Sherry great point
Dunaisky, Karlene07:40:25 pmIts a lot
{Lowe, Brenda}07:40:57 pmI've noticed some boards or upper managements don't have a background in the field but buisness or something. it's good to have that knowledge too but I'm noticing a difference in the drive and priorities
Dunaisky, Karlene07:41:03 pmso when it gets too big to carry I remember to focus small. the littlest thing is still a good thing.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:41:43 pmYup focus on the joy. What brought you to your position in the begining. I love the wonder of childhood. the dreams. the magic
{Lowe, Brenda}07:41:50 pmthe innocence
Dunaisky, Karlene07:42:04 pmthe baby giggles
{Lowe, Brenda}07:42:25 pmI think we answeed the last question so I'll ask you to tell me what's your joy in the field. Karlene yes and toddler hugs
Dunaisky, Karlene07:42:44 pmm
{Lowe, Brenda}07:42:56 pmwhen a preschooler sings at the top of their lungs
Tiegs, Sherry07:43:11 pmThe sparkle in their eye when they solve a problem themselves
{Lowe, Brenda}07:43:33 pmOOOOHHHH yes, that one is huge for me and also the sparkle in the teacher's eye when they've figured it out
Greiner, Courtney07:43:34 pmI really enjoy watching the interactions between children, but lately I’ve been even more moved by the growth in our teachers and how they grow into their own styles of teaching and also support each other like family
Rivera Mercado, Darlene07:43:43 pmEvery hug !!!
Dunaisky, Karlene07:43:51 pmsome of my joy comes in seeing the littles I cared for years ago run across a room to hug me with a sweet smile on their face.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:43:52 pmthat's amazing courtney yes
Tiegs, Sherry07:43:55 pmWhen a child that struggles with self regulation, and I hear "can I be next"!!!!!!
{Lowe, Brenda}07:44:03 pmDarlene yes every hug!!!
{Lowe, Brenda}07:44:16 pmOh Sherry yes how sweet
{Lowe, Brenda}07:44:24 pmYou all made me smile tonight.
{Lowe, Brenda}07:44:29 pmAnd our time is up
{Lowe, Brenda}07:44:33 pm🙂
Rivera Mercado, Darlene07:44:49 pmHave a great night
{Lowe, Brenda}07:44:52 pmIf you have not finished discussion board please do so and I'll check you off as completed!!
Greiner, Courtney07:44:57 pmThis was a great conversation and I hope everyone has a great week!
{Lowe, Brenda}07:45:01 pmHave a great night everyone and I'll see you next week
Tiegs, Sherry07:45:11 pmHave a good evening!
Dunaisky, Karlene07:45:12 pmthanks again everyone:)
{Lowe, Brenda}07:45:13 pm😍😁