The Calm Leader Toolkit Guide

Leadership & Growth
Written By Cynthia Skyers-Gordon

What It Does, Why It Works, and How to Use It Step-by-Step

There’s a kind of tired that doesn’t come from doing too little.

It comes from carrying too much,  quietly.

If you’re a leader in early childhood, you already know this: the work isn’t just schedules, compliance, and classroom walkthroughs. The work also carries an emotional weight. It’s the invisible labor of holding a team steady while still trying to stay steady yourself.

That’s what the Calm Leader Toolkit is for.

Not to give you one more thing to do, but to provide you with a better way to hold what you’re already doing.

This toolkit was designed to help leaders build calm as a leadership practice, not as a personality trait. Calm isn’t “being soft.” Calm is being stable. Calm is apparent. Calm is being present enough to respond rather than react.

And that’s where the toolkit begins.

The Coordinator’s Role

The Coordinator introduces the Calm Leader wellness opportunity to staff and provides the structure, tools, and support needed for the program to function smoothly.

The Coordinator:

  • Introduces the Calm Leader role to all staff

  • Shares the purpose, expectations, and flexibility of the role

  • Makes the opportunity visible and accessible

  • Supports staff who voluntarily step into the role

  • Provides guidance and resources behind the scenes

The Coordinator does not assign Calm Leaders.
Participation is always voluntary.

The Calm Leader’s Role

A Calm Leader is a staff member who chooses to take on a light-touch wellness leadership role within their workplace.

Calm Leaders:

  • Volunteer to support or co-lead one wellness activity per month

  • Share wellness ideas aligned with their interests and strengths

  • Encourage peers through calm, inclusive actions

  • Model connection and care within the staff community

Staff step into the Calm Leader role by choice, not appointment.

 Step-by-Step Flow

Step 1: The Coordinator Introduces the Opportunity

The Coordinator begins by introducing the Calm Leader wellness opportunity to staff. This includes sharing:

  • The purpose of staff-led wellness

  • What a Calm Leader is (and is not)

  • The flexible, low-pressure nature of the role

  • How staff are able to express interest if they feel aligned

This introduction may happen through a meeting, email, flyer, or informal conversation.

Step 2: Staff Voluntarily Express Interest

Staff members who feel aligned with the role may choose to step forward as Calm Leaders.

No one is assigned, pressured, or expected to participate.

This ensures that Calm Leaders are:

  • Willing

  • Authentically motivated

  • Comfortable leading in their own way

Step 3: The Coordinator Supports Interested Staff

Once staff voluntarily express interest, the Coordinator:

  • Shares the Calm Leader Role Description

  • Reviews expectations and time commitment

  • Answers questions

  • Provides tools from the toolkit

  • Offers ongoing support and guidance

At this point, the Coordinator moves into a supportive, behind-the-scenes role.

Step 4: Calm Leaders Take the Lead (With Support)

Calm Leaders then:

  • Take the visible lead in monthly wellness moments

  • Support wellness volunteers as needed

  • Shape activities based on their personalities and strengths

  • Keep participation welcoming and optional

The Coordinator remains available for support, troubleshooting, and encouragement.

In the Calm Leader model, participation is always voluntary. Coordinators introduce the wellness opportunity and provide structure and support, but staff choose whether or not to step into the Calm Leader role. This approach ensures that wellness leadership is rooted in willingness, authenticity, and personal strengths, not assignment or obligation. Calm Leaders lead because they want to, not because they were chosen.

Final Companion Statement for the Toolkit

Important: This toolkit is designed to be introduced and supported by a coordinator or administrator. The coordinator introduces the Calm Leader opportunity to staff, provides guidance and resources, and supports the program behind the scenes. Staff members may voluntarily choose to step into the Calm Leader role. Once onboarded, Calm Leaders lead low-lift wellness activities for staff, with ongoing coordinator support.

Access the Calm Leader Toolkit here:
https://wellnest32.gumroad.com/l/calmleaderonboardingtoolkit

Cynthia Skyers-Gordon

Dr. Cynthia Skyers-Gordon, Ed.D. is the founder of SILWELL-C (Staff-Inspired Leadership for Wellness and Calm), a wellness initiative created to empower educators, leaders, and teams to thrive from within. With more than 33 years of experience in early childhood education, from assistant teacher to director to Education Coordinator, Dr. Skyers-Gordon understands the challenges and opportunities staff face each day.

SILWELL-C was born from her belief that true wellness in schools starts with the staff themselves. By providing calm leadership strategies, practical tools, affirmations, and inspiration, SILWELL-C equips educators and leaders to create supportive, balanced environments where both staff and children can flourish.

Through workshops, consultations, and creative resources, Dr. Skyers-Gordon combines her in-depth expertise with a passion for cultivating resilience, connection, and calm in every space. Whether it’s through her upcoming Wellness Toolkit, the JamBel Storybook, or the Free Wellness Hub, she continues to design practical ways for educators and leaders to sustain their own wellness while inspiring others.

At its core, SILWELL-C is more than a program; it’s a movement: a reminder that when staff lead with wellness, schools grow with strength, calm, and confidence.

https://www.silwellc.com
Next

Start With Listening: The Staff Wellness Needs Assessment Toolkit