The Compassionate Schools Project Summer Retreat for Educators in Louisville
Sixty-three educators from Jefferson County Public Schools attended the Compassionate Schools Project Summer Retreat for Educators, held on July 20-22 at Rough River State Park in Kentucky.
Stoke Your Fire, Shine Your Light was the theme for this year’s retreat.
Retreat offerings included morning and night owl yoga, mindful art, nature R&R, board games, crafts, gratitude practice, music and interactive theater, and sessions on cultivating and practicing compassionate communication, walking toward one’s strengths, and remembering one’s radiance. Educators also enjoyed a visit from WAGS (Wonderful Animals Giving Support) dogs and a reflective campfire from the conference center overlook.
Sample Feedback from Educators:
- Every presenter and facilitator brought both expertise and authenticity, creating sessions that were engaging, practical, and deeply impactful.
- This job/profession is hard. The retreat is a great way to renew ourselves before reporting back.
- So many teachers come and truly enjoy this experience. We network, learn and build and encourage one another.
- It is perfect timing and it provides so much peace in my soul before returning back to school.
- I have made some deep connections with others and myself through this wonderful experience!
- This was wonderful! I had such a nice time away and spending the time to be more present and mindful was perfect before school starts and life gets hectic again.
- I found new appreciation for paying attention to my outside surroundings with R & R in nature.
- Thank you for prioritizing teachers and our mental health and the mental health of our students (via our teachers)!
This year’s restorative retreat was made possible by generous gifts from Karen Leshner and Intrepid Philanthropy Foundation and The Norton Family Foundation.
