Living Your Best Life: Lifestyle Medicine for School Leaders

MSAA Professional Development Workshop for Principals, 
 Assistant Principals and Department Heads

Living Your Best Life: 
 Lifestyle Medicine for School Leaders  

In a 2022 nationwide survey, educators reported the highest rate of burnout of all industries polled. As a school administrator, how will you survive and possibly even thrive in this environment? This workshop will address burnout symptoms and how they manifest in the field of education. Participants will learn about the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine including the evidence of using nutrition, sleep, and physical activity to improve resilience against stress. 

In addition, the role of mindfulness-based stress reduction will be reviewed with time dedicated to practicing meditation. Tools to implement ongoing teacher wellness initiatives will be discussed including mindfulness series, walking/exercise groups, and accountability programs.

Participants will:

·         Learn about Lifestyle Medicine, a specialty dedicated to helping individuals adapt a healthier lifestyle to improve well-being and prevent chronic disease

·         Set SMART goals in the "pillars" of Lifestyle Medicine: whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections

·         Learn how mindfulness-based stress reduction can play a role in administrator, teacher and student wellness

·         Explore options for ongoing wellness programs to improve the emotional and physical health of school leaders

·         Review the science behind areas of the world called Blue Zones where the residents live longer, happier, and healthier lives. How can your school be more like a Blue Zone?

When: Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am

Delivery Method: In-Person Workshop

Location: The MSAA Office, 33 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA

Presenters: Dr. Brenda Walkey, Lifestyle Medicine Coach

 Karen Cutone, Mindfulness Based Stressed Reduction Instructor

PD Hours: 3 in Content Area Leadership and Administration

Fees: Member $150 / Non-Member $205

MSAA Contact: Ethel Kawesa, ekawesa@miaa.net 

Dr. Brenda Walkey |Lifestyle Medicine Coach

Brenda Walkey, MD, DiplABLM is a physician board certified in Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree at Boston College and her medical degree at University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. She completed her Internal Medicine residency training including a chief resident year at Tufts Medical Center. Dr. Walkey has fifteen years of experience as a primary care physician at an academic practice in Boston and within the Boston VA Healthcare System. Since becoming boarded in Lifestyle Medicine in 2022, she has provided coaching in areas of nutrition, physical activity, sleep and mindfulness. Brenda has undergone leadership training in the program PAVING the Path to Wellness, an evidence-based workshop series designed to empower individuals to live healthier lives with a sense of purpose. Her website is www.waves2wellness.squarespace.com.