For Applemania Bradford, educator wellness is not an afterthought. It is part of sustaining the people who help entire school communities thrive. The veteran educator and founder and CEO of Teacher B.A.E., Inc. has spent 17 years in education, turning her experience with the demands of the profession into a mission centered on intentional self-care, mental health advocacy, and community.
That mission will take center stage at Teacher B.A.E.’s Fourth Annual Back to School Self-Care Con on Sunday, September 27, 2026, from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Venue 338 in Atlanta. Built around the theme “Reset. Recharge. Refuel.,” the gathering invites educators, professionals, and members of the wellness community to slow down, reconnect, and make room for their own well-being.
Bradford established Teacher B.A.E., short for Balanced and Educated, in 2019 after organizing self-care trips for fellow teachers. What began among colleagues developed into a broader effort to help educators balance their work, home, and social lives while continuing to serve students and their communities.
The organization’s work challenges the idea that dedication requires constant depletion. Instead, Teacher B.A.E. encourages educators to treat wellness as a foundation for longevity and meaningful impact. Its mission includes mentoring newer teachers, strengthening unity among educators, building self-awareness, and helping communities thrive.
Bradford’s advocacy has also reached audiences beyond the classroom. A previous FOX 5 Atlanta feature highlighted Teacher B.A.E.’s efforts to help metro Atlanta educators recognize burnout and prioritize restoration. Her message is direct but compassionate: caring for yourself is not separate from caring for students, it helps make that care sustainable.
This year’s Self-Care Con brings Bradford’s message to life through an afternoon of practical wellness experiences and community connection. According to the event listing, attendees can expect:
- An empowering wellness panel
- Interactive self-care and wellness activities
- Wellness vendors and community partners
- Networking and meaningful conversation
- Giveaways and curated items from brand partners
- Light bites and signature self-care spritzers for VIP guests
The event is designed not only for classroom educators, but also for professionals managing demanding careers and anyone ready to place wellness back on the calendar. That wider invitation reflects Teacher B.A.E.’s growing message: burnout may appear in different settings, but community, boundaries, and intentional care can help people move forward with greater balance.
Bradford’s work recognizes that educator well-being affects more than an individual teacher. When educators have the tools and support to care for themselves, they are better positioned to build healthy classrooms, nurture students, collaborate with families, and remain connected to the purpose that brought them to education.
The annual gathering also creates room for brands and community organizations to participate in that work. Through wellness activations, sponsorship, and partnerships, the Self-Care Con turns encouragement into a shared experience and reminds attendees that they do not have to navigate professional pressure alone.
Applemania Bradford continues to show that protecting the people behind the work is itself a form of service. Through Teacher B.A.E., she is helping educators replace guilt around rest with a more sustainable vision of leadership, one in which balance, mental wellness, and impact can exist together.
Teacher B.A.E., Inc.’s Fourth Annual Back to School Self-Care Con takes place Sunday, September 27, from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Venue 338 in Atlanta. View event details and ticket information. Learn more about Teacher B.A.E. at TeacherBAEInc.org and follow the organization on Instagram at @TeacherBAEInc.
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