In this episode, classroom teacher and author Michelle Gano shares her experiences with teacher burnout and how one day she realized that in order to rise above the burnout, she would need to change her perspective from focusing on the negative to looking beyond the clouds to find the positive in each day.

Michelle Gano is the author of the inspirational book for teachers, Look Beyond the Clouds. She is on a mission to bring positive change to schools everywhere by helping teachers transform their daily habits to overcome burnout and find joy in teaching again.

Analogies that Michelle shared: 

1. Look Beyond the Clouds: I came up with this concept when I was on a plane on a cloudy day. When we rose above the clouds, we were greeted by the brightest sunshine. Even when some days seem cloudy or difficult, the sun is still shining beyond the clouds. Even if you don't see it now, it's still there. You simply need to believe that it will come again and choose to look beyond the clouds. Hope remains.
2. Volcano Boarding: Imagine standing at the base of a volcano being told you were about to begin a journey to the peak then slide your way back down on a thin wooden board. That experience helped me realize that we are always going to be faced with mountains in life (or in this case, a volcano). If we choose to not look at the entire mountain but focus on one step at a time it will help us reach that breathtaking view at the "top." It takes baby steps, determination, and a positive mindset.
3. Red Balloon vs. Blue Balloon Picture: a large garbage bag of twenty blue balloons. Because they are weightless, all of the balloons are moving in the same direction—upward. This is what happens when people are positive and work together toward a common goal. Now imagine a red balloon filled with water. If that red balloon is placed in the same bag, the weight of that single red balloon will impact all of the other balloons and bring them down. You can apply this concept to the people you work with and make the conscious choice of which balloon you will be.

Look Beyond the Clouds helps teachers:

- Navigate and overcome challenges with positivity and gratitude

- Transform their daily habits and mindset in order to focus on the good in each day

- Master self-love and make time for self-care each week

CALL TO ACTION: THINGS YOU CAN DO TOMORROW

1. At the end of the day, write down three POSITIVE things that happened over the course of the day.
2. Do a DIGITAL DETOX! To do this, turn OFF your technology.  Spending time on technology is NOT relaxing, it is distracting.  
3. Consider what "balloon" are you?  Are you a red balloon (a negative person) or a blue balloon (a positive person)?  Also, consider who is in your circle and who are the red balloons and the blue balloons in your group. 

FIND OUR GUEST 

Website: https://lookbeyondtheclouds.com/

Instagram: @lookbeyondthecloudscommunity

Facebook: closed group- Look Beyond the Clouds Community 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Look Beyond the Clouds book

Blog post: http://successintheclassroom.com/teachers-which-balloon-are-you-guest-post-by-michelle-gano/

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