Episode 9: Rest, Resilience & Workplace Power: How to Navigate Systems & Prioritize Yourself (feat. Gina McCauley)

Educators are often expected to give endlessly—to their students, schools, and communities—while receiving little in return. But what happens when the system takes more than it gives? In this insightful episode of the Restful Teacher®, Gina McCauley, a labor and employment attorney, HR consultant, and workplace advocate, joins Michelle Singh to shed light on how teachers can navigate the workplace with strategy, protect their well-being, and reclaim their time without guilt. 

Gina shares hard truths about overwork as a trauma response, why rest is a strategic necessity (not a luxury), and how educators can leverage their employment benefits to safeguard their health, finances, and long-term career stability. This episode is your guide to building systems that allow you to rest, say no with confidence, and stop sacrificing for a job that won’t sacrifice for you. 

🎧 Tune in to discover: 

✅ Why overworking isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a burnout trap 

✅ How to leverage employment benefits like FMLA & disability insurance 

✅ The importance of financial literacy & investing in your future security 

✅ How to build classroom systems that create breathing room for you and your students 

✅ Why stepping away doesn’t make you weak—it makes you sustainable 

💡 Key Takeaway: Rest isn’t just about time off—it’s about reclaiming control over your career, finances, and well-being. The system will take whatever you give it, so start making it work for you instead of against you. 

📌 Start today: What’s one workplace benefit or policy you can research and use to protect your well-being this year?