Care Package: 1. A parcel of food, money, or luxury items sent to a loved one who is away. 2. A digital gathering of cultural touchstones on ethandezotelle.com, put together to brighten your day a bit.

The past week was supposed to be a return to a quieter schedule and an opportunity to rebuild a routine. Didn’t happen. So neither did the “Daily” part of the Daily Care Packages. Time to take another crack at it.

POEM: One of the great things about working with young kids is the daily exposure to their unbridled interest in stuff that gets taken for granted as we age. Things like rainbows, as Mr. Wordsworth points out here.
My Heart Leaps Up by William Wordsworth
My heart leaps up when I behold
   A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So it is now I am a man;
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ART: Joseph Mallord William Turner’s Arundel Castle on the River Arun, with a Rainbow
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QUOTE: “An enlightened person strives to live a meaningful life, defined by their personal humility, joy, passion, and profound reverence for life.” – Kilroy J. Oldster
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SONG: I struggle constantly with self-compassion, and there aren’t many songs that capture my ongoing battle with my inner critic as well as this one. 
Mockingbirds by Grant Lee Buffalo

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TRAVEL: Darth Vader Statue, Odessa, Ukraine
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WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: Women’s History Month Resources for Teachers
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BACK TO SCHOOL: Kristen Neff’s book, Self-Compassion, was literally a lifesaver for me. I found this excellent piece about the importance of self-compassion for educators. True self-compassion is vital, especially in an age when the term “self-care” amounts to little more than lip service and too-easy ideas like spa days and shopping binges. Real self-compassion and self-care can be hard, at times ugly, but ultimately edifying and life-changing.
How Self-Compassion Can Help Prevent Teacher Burnout
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