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Hug 206: The Sunday Scaries, Teacher Joy, and Puppy Yoga

  • Writer: Tami West
    Tami West
  • Sep 10
  • 2 min read
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This episode was a mix of teacher stories, life lessons, and a little bit of joy (including Michelle’s puppy yoga adventure!).



We kicked things off with some behind-the-scenes tech glitches—because let’s be honest, podcasting isn’t always glamorous. Then we dove into a real conversation about the Sunday Scaries. Tami shared how her anxiety as a teacher used to make Sundays unbearable, even leading to missed community time. Michelle opened up about her own “scaries” and how holding on to “the way things have always been done” made teaching harder.


Here's what we talked about:

  • How teachers can design their year instead of letting the year design them.

  • The dangers of perfectionism and comparison (like trying to be the next TikTok Super Teacher!!!).

  • Why setting boundaries early in your teaching career can protect your joy and help prevent burnout.

  • How parents and teachers can connect with kids through simple daily rituals and better questions than “How was your day?”


We reminded ourselves and you: your strength is in being you.

  • If you’re funny, be funny.

  • If you’re compassionate, lean into that.

  • If you need to fake it till you make it, that’s okay too.


And of course, Michelle reminded us that joy is found in the little things—like 10 Bernese Mountain puppies running around during yoga. Tami shared about coffee runs with Tim out west that turned into slow, joy-filled mornings. These moments matter just as much as the lesson plans.



And as promised, here’s Michelle’s puppy yoga review!

“Puppy yoga was a 10/10. It was so much fun and a truly joy filled experience. I highly recommend!!”


If you’re a teacher, parent, or student stepping into a new school year, don’t forget to design it around joy, boundaries, and being authentically you.


We’ve added a free resource to the CYH Resource Vault: The Design Your Year Plan—to help you build a healthier, more balanced school year.


Connect with us


And, until next time..... Consider Yourself Hugged!!

Michelle & Tami



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About Tami & Michelle:

Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP

Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Educator. She works with children and adults with mental health needs including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder.


Tami West, PhD

Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Tami has worked in a variety of industries including healthcare, school nutrition, corporate sales, and 10 years as a public-school teacher. In 2013 she received her PhD in Human Development, studying the connections among stress, emotions, and identity.


Thanks for joining! **Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:


General Resources

National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org

Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org

Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/

 
 
 

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