Author Archives: Janna Miller & Chris Brownson

About Janna Miller & Chris Brownson

Chris Brownson is a former corps member (LA '93) and a licensed psychologist. After his two years teaching, he promptly returned to his alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin, to pursue graduate work in counseling psychology. He received my Ph.D. in 2001 and is now a licensed psychologist in the State of Texas, the director of the University of Texas Counseling & Mental Health Center, and the National Mental Health Consultant for TFA. Janna Miller was a 2007 corps member in the Mississippi Delta region. She taught 4th grade during her two years in the corps and then stayed in Mississippi a third year and taught 5th grade ELA. Before joining Teach For America, she majored in psychology. After teaching, she joined the doctoral program in Counseling Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Read the Mental Health and Wellness archives on TFANet.
May 21, 2013

Using Your Summer to Reflect

Ah, summer is near, which might hold the promise for you of rest and relaxation, time to get back into your favorite hobbies, and space in your schedule to connect with your friends and loved ones. The beginning of summer break ...

Posted in Your Best Self | Tagged ,
May 16, 2013

Understanding Depression with Humor

Depression can be hard to understand if you haven’t personally experienced it. In fact, even if you have experienced it, it can be hard to know and accept that your thoughts and feelings are the result of a real condition. ...

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May 7, 2013

Reducing the Stigma Attached to Mental Illness

What comes to mind when you hear the words “mental illness?” For many, images of unpredictable or dangerous people are conjured. Feelings of fear and distrust might be elicited. You may think of the Aurora, Colorado movie theater shooting or ...

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April 23, 2013

But Everyone Said Second Year Would Be Easier

(Contributed by Sally Lineback, Mississippi Delta '07) Almost a month into my second year of teaching, I thought I had teaching figured out. During the summer after my challenging first year, I had revamped all of my plans, goals, and management ...

Posted in Corps Stories |
April 9, 2013

Want to be happier? Stay In the Moment

Just when Sally Lineback (Delta '07) thought she had semi-mastered her teaching skills, a new addition to her class makes her realize how much more she had to learn. In my experience, one of the hardest things to do as a ...

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March 26, 2013

The Loss of A Student: One Corps Member’s Story

Loss is a part of life, but it can be particularly difficult when it is a child at our school. There are many resources available for dealing with such tragedies (see links after post), but sometimes it can be particularly ...

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March 12, 2013

Let Go of Self-Criticism and Embrace Self-Compassion

You should have done better! That lesson plan went terribly! You are a failure of a teacher! Would you talk this way to a fellow CM who comes to you for support because he or she is struggling in the classroom? ...

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