Staff Wellness Culture
Creating a staff wellness culture sends the message that educational leaders value their staff and recognize the stressors and unique challenges that come with serving a school community. This acknowledgment and investment in providing guidance and resources for staff self-care and wellness can help repair relationships and build trust while improving the overall well-being of staff. Much like students who are unwell cannot learn, staff who are unwell cannot meet the needs of the students and families they serve.
Guiding Questions
- How can we create a culture that promotes staff wellness?
- What evidence-based practices promote mental health and positive well-being for adults?
| Strategies | Aligned Resources |
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Promote stress management How you feel can affect your ability to carry out everyday activities, your relationships and your overall mental health. It can be helpful to have specific strategies or rituals you do to manage your stress and nurture your own emotional well-being. Recognizing the need for stress management among staff is the first step in creating a staff wellness culture. |
Emotional wellness is the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times. Download this NIH Emotional Wellness Checklist + Add to Action Plan which highlights evidence-based tips for living well and improving your mental health and emotional wellness. Share this practical tool with staff at the district and school level. |
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Encourage self-care Self-care is an important practice to support and nurture teachers to become more resilient and navigate challenges and stresses with calmness and creativity. Rooted in self-love, self-care also promotes increased work-life balance and improved mental and physical health. |
Share The COVID-19: Resilient Educator Toolkit from Resilient Educator + Add to Action Plan with teachers and staff. The toolkit equips teachers with actionable strategies and advice to use immediately for themselves and in working with and supporting children, parents and families during these difficult times. |