“Changing selfish to self-full” to better the working environment in schools became an overarching topic at the “Leading Well by Living Well” panel on Thursday morning at the AASA National Conference on Education.

Five superintendents, along with a consultant, addressed what they considered the biggest challenges facing their personal wellness in their respective workplaces.

“Wellness goes on the backburner” in professional settings, said LaTonya Goffney, superintendent of Aldine Independent School District in Houston, Texas. Adding to that point, Andrea Castañeda, superintendent of the Salem-Keizer Public Schools in Salem, Ore., said, “We must create spaces for wellness conversations.”

“We as educators are very giving, but not very good at taking care of ourselves,” saidBarbara Jenkins, chief in residence of Orange County Public Schools in Orlando Fla.

To address these personal challenges as a high-level community leader, Castañeda cultivated a culture of wellness in her workplace by “embracing happiness.” She instituted a tradition of workers getting dressed up in dinosaur costumes and visiting classrooms to give donuts to teachers. This activity is purely for the sake of fun and generating happiness and, that in itself, cultivates wellness.

On a more scientific level, Jenna Moniz, executive director at Energy2Matter, stressed the value of taking breaks to replenish energy systems and hone focus. Understanding the operating system of our body is essential to physical well-being, according to Moniz.

Monitoring personal health is a priority for Christina Grant, executive director of the Center for Educational Policy Research at Harvard University. To stress its importance, she asked attendees, “Do you know your blood type, inflammatory foods and what is your morning routine?”

Her “Oura ring” app tracks heart rate fluctuations, sleep and beats per minute. When one day she saw an alert from the app warning her that her body was experiencing strain because of a varied heartrate, she was alarmed enough to visit the emergency room. She offered that as a lesson to others, saying, “Some of us find ourselves in the ER because we're not taking ownership of our health.”

Castañeda explored how innovation and wellness go hand in hand. “The enemy of innovation is threat and fear,” she said. ”A leadership culture of wellness fosters innovation.”

“When we feel more energized we can be more focused on change,” Goffney explained. Health and wellness are intrinsic to cognitive recognition and problem-solving skills, Goffney elaborated. When the leaders are feeling better about their own health and wellness, they share that with their team and extinguish the fear about adding to their personal wellness.

Apps and books to maintain their health and wellness were recommended by panelists. In addition to the Oura ring app, Fastic, the calm app and Audible were among the apps suggested. Two books were recommended: To Pause at the Threshold by Esther De Waal, highlights being appreciative of the spaces we are in, was recommended by Deborah Gist, superintendent-in-residence at the University of Tulsa.  Also suggested was Let Them by Mel Robbins, which emphasizes not trying to control the people around you, according to Goffney.

Castañeda offered two pieces of advice: First, delete social media, and second, schedule delayed doctors’ appointments.

A final piece of advice?  “Turn the TV off and find a place where you feel centered and find joy,” said Grant in closing, quoting the words of musician Kendrick Lamar. Her comment perfectly encapsulated the goal of the session — to find community with those on the journey of health and wellness.

(Ruthie Feinstein, a sophomore at Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans, is an intern reporter for Conference Daily Online.)