Parkside Elementary School hosted award-winning children’s author Julia Cook Friday, Aug. 30, in which she provided some words of encouragement to many school counselors, administrators and librarians.
Cook has sold nearly 4 million copies from her collection of more than 100 titles which have been referenced in national publications such as The New Yorker, The Huffington Post, The Chicago Tribune and The L.A. Times.
From seemingly benign issues, such as the embarrassment of passing gas or the importance of oral hygiene, to much more serious topics such as eating disorders, kidnap prevention or dealing with having an incarcerated parent; the bulk of Cook’s work takes complex issues children face and presents them in easily digested and entertaining formats.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Cook’s presentation wasn’t how important the discussion of mental health and wellness is for today’s students, but just how much adults can also benefit from the lessons found within her books.
Parkside counselor Kim Crumbley, who invited Cook to speak, said the issue of educator burnout is one currently being felt by schools across the country.
“Our nation is in a crisis for teachers and school counselors right now and it has a lot to do with burnout. That’s why they are leaving the profession. I think it is good to have the opportunity to step back and have an opportunity to think about how you can take care of yourself so that you can then take care of those around you,” Crumbley said.
Using several illustrations from her books — with just enough adult language and anecdotes to keep her older audience entertained — Cook spoke of the importance of “being where your feet are,” and having a “human dustpan” (a person who will allow you to vent your frustrations to) in your life.
While some of Cook’s tips might seem simple, she said their importance couldn’t be understated. She shared that taking small moments throughout each day to breathe slowly and deeply, stretching — or dancing — and remembering to view the world through a lens of curiosity and wonder, are vital to developing a state of mental wellness.
The district’s Special Education Coordinator Katie Meigs, compared the discussion to how airlines advise passengers to put on their own oxygen masks before attempting to assist others.
“You do have to take care of yourself to a degree before you have the energy and the ability to pour out for someone else,” Meigs said.