• NYS Certified Teacher and Administrator for Over 20 Years
• Institute of Integrative Nutrition Holistic Coach

Kimberly Bramfeld (Kimberly B) teaches traumatized teachers to overcome their anxiety so they can love teaching again. After 20 years of teaching and school leadership, she discovered how to break free from her anxiety and reclaim her work-life balance. Working alongside teachers who suffered with anxiety, dreaded walking into their school or classroom each day, and felt trapped in their existence, led her to the desire to share her secrets with teachers. She lives in Waterford, New York.

You Don’t Have to Live Like This! After 18 years of teaching and school leadership, I was working in a high-needs school district as a School Librarian. My students had horrific home lives, and brought their trauma to school.

Teachers attended numerous professional development on trauma-sensitive teaching, but we were never taught best practices and strategies for addressing our own trauma. It was a toxic environment that affected every aspect of my life - work, family, friendships, etc. Why didn’t I leave? I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Who would hire someone with nearly 20 years of experience when they could hire someone fresh out of college for half the salary? After so many years in the retirement system, I couldn’t just throw away my career and start over. I tried everything anyone suggested - offering rewards for good behavior, giving grades that weren’t truly earned. I kept thinking that I shouldn’t have to live like this.

I tried changing the students, but what I really needed to do was change myself and my reaction to my students and the toxic environment. I tried to find resources for traumatized teachers, but nothing was available. Everything was designed for students. Plan B was to figure out relaxation and grounding techniques, along with learning to separate myself from the environment. It took about a year to figure out the best practices that worked for me, but I did succeed in developing a toolkit of resources. Whenever I had a particularly difficult, anxious, or otherwise stressful day, I would pull out one of my tools. The next year was a fabulous year and I learned to love teaching again.

Do you want to decrease your anxiety, and learn to love teaching again? Book your complimentary consultation to discuss your situation and dive deep into your possible next steps!