007 - Noticing EVERY child in the classroom - with highly sensitive teacher Katie McCray

Katie McCray is a Primary School teacher who notices EVERY child in the classroom.  She supports all kids and their unique needs, and as a highly sensitive person herself, she has an innate ability to interact and connect with all the members of the class individually and together as members of a group. 

She has always reflected on her interactions with others, and has found that mindfulness and relaxation techniques in the classroom benefits the group in very different ways.  Some kids have very busy routines throughout the week, involving either themselves or their siblings or parents activities or both.  The stimulation of so many new and different activities throughout the school day can further overwhelm a developing mind.  And then there's the teacher!  When everyone stops for a few moments the periods of engagement and learning are optimized and these techniques can be developed into a daily routine with great effect.

Katie offers so many real examples of challenges a student may face, including how a student's first day at school (each year) can contradict all their expectations based on their prior experiences, and how a teacher's first day of the year is like starting a new job every year.  As a HSP herself, she is acutely attuned to the simultaneous emotional and educational struggles that present daily. 

Early in the interview, Anita refers to Elaine Aron's questionnaire.  Click the link if you'd like to check out the questionnaire - "Are You a Highly Sensitive Person?"