63: The Human Curriculum: Teaching, Suffering, and the Art of Being Human with Dr. Judy Jaunzems-Fernuk

What does it mean to teach and live, with our humanity at the center? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Judy Jaunzems-Fernuk, an educator, researcher, mental health practitioner, and parent whose work bridges the College of Education and the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan. Grounded in decades of experience and reflection, Dr. Judy developed The Human Curriculum: a framework that helps educators, practitioners, and communities navigate the beautiful struggle of being human together.She reminds us that teaching and caring for others begins with our own self-care: what she calls the “self-care to care gift.” Built around the guiding process of Aware, Care, Cope (ACC), The Human Curriculum invites us to become more conscious of our needs and the needs of others, to integrate care as an intentional practice, and to cultivate skills that support coping, resilience, and collective well-being.In this conversation, Dr. Judy shares her realization that no one is truly “trained” for the complexity of the human condition, yet it is precisely through our shared suffering, striving, and surviving that we become most capable of genuine teaching and connection. Whether you’re an educator, clinician, parent, or simply someone trying to do your best in an imperfect world, this episode will leave you reflecting on your own human curriculum.Topics covered:The origins and evolution of The Human CurriculumSurviving and thriving in education and care professionsThe Aware, Care, Cope process as a daily practiceThe “self-care to collective care” principleReframing imperfection and struggle as essential to growthDr. Judy Jaunzems-Fernuk, RTC, MTC, is the Well-being Coordinator in the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan, and a Faculty member and Researcher in the College of Education. Judy brings over two decades of educational expertise and clinical practice to her endeavours, and has a keen interest in the intersections of mental health, leadership, and education. Therapeutic and healing-centred practices are her current focus. Judy believes self-care and personal well-being are essential for strong leadership, especially for those in caregiving professions, i.e., anyone in a position that holds humans at the heart of their work.Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing.Resources:CherieLindberg.comElevatedLifeAcademy.comGuest Links:Social Media: Instagram: @drjudyjaunzemsfernukFacebook: Prairie Sky EducationWebsites: http://www.drjudyjaunzemsfernuk.comwww.therapeuticteaching.comwww.prairieskyeducation.cawww.thehumancurriculum.caOrder The Human Curriculum™ Journal:https://www.amazon.ca/Human-Curriculum-Reflective-Journal-Self-Discovery/dp/B0DGQ1VVZJ