Life in the S.L.O.W. Lane: An Educator's Guide for Managing Stress and Maintaining Well-Being - by Lauren Kazee, LMSW

Ms. Kazee wrote this guide, Life in the S.L.O.W. Lane, after her 30-year career as a social worker, specializing in social-emotional learning and school mental health consultation. While the professional experience Lauren brings to the content of the book is readily apparent, it is the stories of her own personal life crises and ongoing recovery as a highly driven perfectionist that makes the book so appealing. The book engages the reader immediately because of the humility and authenticity with which Ms. Kazee writes about her own experience and the way in which she communicates her respect and understanding of teachers.  Its contents speak directly to helping teachers navigate the stress of teaching. Any educator interested in their wellness will benefit by using this resource.​

The book resembles a workbook format. Blogs that Ms. Kazee originally shared on her website are repurposed to catalyze readers’ mindfulness and insights into their well-being.  Organized month by month, she highlights the typical stresses that educators experience throughout the school year, followed by checklists, deep questions for reflection, and baby steps they can chart as they move along their path for self-care.