S11/E6: Combating compassion fatigue: Self-care for educators with Dorina Sackman-Ebuwa

S11/E6: Combating compassion fatigue: Self-care for educators with Dorina Sackman-Ebuwa

Author: Ellevation Education October 24, 2023 Duration: 1:01:17

How has a misinterpretation of “self-care” led to burnout in the education field? How can heightened emotional intelligence improve our ability to understand and manage our emotions, particularly when advocating for our MLLs? What are some improvements or changes we can call for in the educational ecosystem to provide better, meaningful emotional support for educators?


Dorina Sackman-Ebuwa in an honest, vulnerable, and sometimes emotional conversation about how a misinterpretation of “self-care” has led to burnout in the education field, how heightened emotional intelligence improves our ability to understand and manage our emotions, particularly when advocating for our MLLs, and some improvements we can call for to provide better, more meaningful emotional support for educators. 

Dr. Dorina Sackman-Ebuwa is known as The Lab Coat Teacher and affectionately “Miss Dorito” by her students and colleagues from around the world. A Top 4 Finalist for National Teacher of the Year and Florida Teacher of the Year, polyglot Dorina takes her 26-year ELL/Bilingual/ELSVA classroom experiences and doctoral research on Transformative Emotional Intelligence and travels the globe inspiring, motivating, empowering, and elevating educators with professional and personal learning that starts from within. From trainings from the heart using her YouTube Channel BELIEVE_Café, to her authentic and humorous real talk “Keyshops” on reflequity® through Emotional Intelligence, Dorina Sackman-Ebuwa encourages all to B.E.L.I.E.V.E.! ® - Be the Educators who Lead to Inspire and Empower Via Empathy! When not wearing the many hats of an educator, Dorina dons a Stetson and works on her “Franch”, tending to her beloved special needs rescue cows, goats, chickens, ponies, mini donkeys, and barn cat named “Cool Ranch”. Find Miss Dorito on twitter @Dorina_BELIEVE or visit www.dorinasackman.com





At the heart of Highest Aspirations are the voices and stories of English Language Learners, a dynamic and fast-growing part of the student population. Created by Ellevation Education, this podcast moves beyond theory to explore the real-world experiences shaping classrooms today. Each episode connects you directly with educators who are in the trenches, students navigating dual languages, and researchers translating data into practical strategies. You’ll also hear from families and community advocates, whose perspectives are crucial yet often overlooked. These conversations collectively tackle a central question: how do we build systems that genuinely allow every student to thrive? Rather than offering simple answers, the series delves into the complexities of policy, instructional practice, and cultural belonging. It’s a space where the vibrant ELL community gathers to discuss both challenges and breakthroughs. Tuning in provides a nuanced look at the evolving landscape of education, emphasizing actionable insights and shared humanity. The Highest Aspirations podcast ultimately serves as a thoughtful forum for anyone invested in creating more equitable and effective learning environments for all.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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