Kathryn Kennedy, PhD

SUMMARY

In this conversation, Michelle Kinder sits down with Katherine Kennedy to unpack the real challenges educators face—burnout, secondary trauma, and the emotional weight they carry in and out of the classroom. They talk about how personal experiences shape professional lives, and why supporting educator wellness isn't optional—it’s urgent.

Katherine shares her journey and what pushed her to create wellness programs designed specifically for educators. She digs into the role of creativity, community, and somatic practices in healing, and why reconnecting with yourself is often the first step toward meaningful change.

This dialogue pushes beyond surface-level solutions, exploring what real support looks like in a system that often overlooks the humanity of the people in it. It’s about agency, advocacy, and building spaces where educators—and students—can actually thrive.

 

Seven Small Changes to Support Your Mental Health This School Year: 

https://consult4ed.group/educafe/2024/8/25/from-meltdown-to-understanding-six-ways-to-support-students-in-the-moment-wglym-sahgz-r3256

 

 

TAKEAWAYS

• Burnout isn’t just exhaustion—it’s a signal that something has to change.

• Personal trauma doesn’t stay at the door—it walks into the classroom too.

• Wellness isn't fluff—it’s foundational.

• Creativity and connection aren’t extras—they’re lifelines.

• Empowerment is the antidote to feeling stuck.

 

 

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Burden of Educator Responsibilities

02:50 Katherine Kennedy's Journey to Educator Wellness

06:01 The Impact of Personal Trauma on Professional Life

08:52 The Importance of Educator Wellness

12:04 The Shift to Consulting and Wellness Programs

.css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}