Explores the connection between Identity and Self-care. Who is this self that we are caring for? Connects to trauma informed care and trauma informed practice.

1. Identity
• Our experiences and voices are legitimate ways of knowing and valuable
assets in framing and speaking to the concerns of students in our
classrooms. Like the students who enter our classrooms, our perspectives
are unique because of who we are and the context in which we socially,
politically, historically, and personally exit.
• How might you describe a connection between the trauma informed
professional and identity?
• Identity Circles Exercise-Connection between our identities, beliefs, and
values and our decisions and behaviors.

2. Identity Circles
• Within your diagram, please write your name in the
center circle.
•Each additional circle will contain a word or phrase
that captures some element of your Identity — those
terms or descriptors that have most helped shape
who you are and how you interact in the world.
•Please include words or phrases that other people
use to identify you as well. This might be done in a
different color, or in pencil rather than in ink.

3. Process
• Once the question has been stated, everyone will be allowed 1 minute to think.
• At the end of the 1-minute thinking time, each person will take turns responding,
without interruption, to the question or prompt, with 2 minutes allotted for
each. If the speaker does not take 2 minutes, the full time should be allowed,
being comfortable with the silence.
• At the end of the second partner’s time, please thank your current partner and
say goodbye.
• The group will shift and participants will have a moment to greet their new
partners.
• The next round of dialogue will begin, with a new question, and with the 1
minute thinking time. The process continues through each round of questions or
prompts.

4. Questions and Prompts
1. With which descriptors do you identify most strongly? Why is that?
2. With which descriptors do others identify you most strongly? How do you feel about
that?
3. Describe a time when one of the elements of your identity definitely worked to your
advantage, either in your educational experience or in other areas of your life.
4. Describe a time when one of the elements of your identity appeared to hold you back,
either in your educational experience or in other areas of your life.
5. Talk about a time when your perceptions of a student’s identity caused you to do
something that moved her/him forward.
6. Talk about a time when your perceptions of a student’s identity caused you to do
something that held her/him back.
7. Talk about a time your identity diminished, lessened, or obscured your awareness of an
inequity.
8. Talk about a time your identity heightened your awareness of an inequity.

5. Debrief
•What might you do differently as a result of
engaging in this dialogue?
• How might you adapt and use this activity?
•How might you process the emotions that
surfaced for you as a result of this dialogue?

6. Self Care
Self care is any activity you choose that cares for
your mind, heart, and body.
• Time with Friends
• Exercise
• Cooking
• Hiking/walking
• Gardening
• Color/draw/write
#Self Care