Educator Shares How Essential Oils Promote Learning

We’re focusing this month on helping our children learn, whether they’re going back to school or doing online schooling from home. It’s been a challenging year for students, parents, and educators, but we continue to be inspired by their tenacity and creativity. And of course, we’re interested in how educators are helping students use blends of essential oil for learning, studying, concentrating, and calming.

So, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Nina Gallwey, an experienced educator who looks for creative ways to engage her students and uses essential oils to promote learning in her classroom. In our interview below she’ll share the benefits she’s observed by introducing aromatherapy to her students.

Tell us a little about your background in teaching and about Siskiyou School.

I am the Educational Support teacher at Siskiyou School, which means I have the privilege of working with children who have learning differences. They are bright and gifted children, and they thrive on a more sensory based way of learning. This is my 18th year at the Siskiyou School, and it is my 33rd year of my career as a teacher. My work with children acknowledges that some children need support with the physiology (eye-tracking, midline integration, sensory systems) before academic learning can come with ease.

How were you introduced to essential oils and how did you meet Caryn?

I have personally used essential oils since I was in my early twenties. I was introduced to oils through a dear friend, who was part of a popular multi-level marketing oil distributor. While I never became involved with the marketing part of this company, I ordered oils from them for many years. Last year a good friend of mine told me about Caryn and Essential 3. I have a personal philosophy about the health of keeping dollars in the local economy, so I was so happy to hear about a local outlet for oils. My first visit to the store sold me! The staff was so friendly and helpful. I have been ordering from Essential 3 ever since, and I recognize and love the high quality of their oils.

How have you been using essential oils in the classroom and for how long? Which are your favorite blends of essential oil for learning?

I have used essential oils in my classroom for the past 20 years. I first brought them in just a way to freshen the environment, but I quickly saw how much the children loved the oils and that I could use certain oils to bring calm and focus them. When children struggle with learning, the classroom can be a place of anxiety. Because my work involves getting the children out of stress and into their bodies to be ready to learn, the oils have been the perfect complement to create an environment of safety. I have had many children walk in the door, take a deep breath, and say “ahhh.” The smell of the room lets their system know that they are in a safe space. I also have spritzers the children can choose from before they leave to go back out into their day. They are labeled “Happy” (Serenity blend), “Wake Up”, (Concentrate blend), “Quiet” (Peace blend), “Brave” (Courageous blend) and “Relax” (Be Calm blend). Lavender and various citrus oils are diffused into the room.

How are teachers and students dealing with the extra stress of the pandemic this year? Has aromatherapy been helpful?

As we all know, Covid has been a huge challenge for educators. It is very difficult to expect young children to learn on-line, especially the population that I work with—the children with focus and sensory issues. Being a private school, we were able to work all summer to create the accommodations to have the children in-person for a short day. We have two cohorts, a morning and afternoon group for three hours each. The in-person time has made all the difference in creating the contact for learning. As educators, we deeply recognize the stress that Covid has created for families, and so we are putting most of our attention on creating an environment where the children can feel safe, be children, and know that they can count on the rhythm of school. The oils continue to be a huge part of supporting the soothing of their central nervous systems as they navigate the challenges of this time.

What about the response from other teachers and parents? Have you found them receptive to aromatherapy in the classroom?

Many of our teachers use oils in their classrooms. As we personally fund the oils for this purpose, it is up to each teacher on how they may use the oils. This is why I was so grateful to Caryn for offering a teacher discount. Parents often ask about which oils can support sleep, focus, and wellbeing at home. Whenever I hold conferences, the parents can feel the effect the oils have on the environment of the classroom and so appreciate this. I personally have found that I am using more oils for myself throughout the day to mitigate the stress so I can serve the children from a grounded place.

Any final words on using essential oil for learning environments?

Lastly, the oils are such a friendly ally for children because they are developing their “emotional body” and learning to regulate their feelings in life. Olfactory input goes straight to the limbic system where smell and emotion are stored as memory. When we create a predictable, safe environment for children and use smell to reinforce the sense of safety, then it only takes the child walking into the room to begin to center and calm themself and feel open to learning. I am so grateful to Caryn for Essential 3 and we LOVE the diffuser she gave to us.

Thank you Nina for sharing with us how aromatherapy is helping your students to feel safe and learn! To receive more suggestions on how to incorporate aromatherapy in your life at work or at home, sign-up for our newsletter and you’ll get 20% off your first order.