Perspective | Walking the Resilience Road: From Overwhelmed to Compassion-in-Action [ednc.org]

By Elizabeth DeKonty, April 14 2020

When asked what she is struggling with the most right now, first grade teacher Katherine Semenek focused not only on her students’ academic needs, but their basic needs to feel emotionally and physically safe and supported during this difficult time. We know she is not alone in her concerns as teachers all across our state, and our country, are stuck at home wondering if their students are safe, being fed, and being cared for after an abrupt closing of schools that left most staff not even able to say goodbye or give a final hug to their students or colleagues.

Fairview Elementary and McGee’s Crossroads Elementary are two of 28 schools that the Public School Forum’s North Carolina Resilience & Learning Project has partnered with for intensive trauma-informed coaching and training this school year. Our team has been checking in regularly with project partner school staff since schools closed just over three weeks ago. We’ve been hearing from many school staff that in addition to remote learning challenges, the sudden closure of schools has caused considerable stress and trauma for many kids, parents, and educators.

Undoubtedly, the social emotional learning and mental health needs of kids are greater now than ever before. We know many kids are facing a lack of basic needs at home or are in homes with safety risks related to abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. In addition to all of this, students are not able to be in the classroom to learn in the ways they are most used to, which increases fears that they will fall behind academically. This is particularly concerning for students with greater levels of need, including those with special needs and English language learners, who may not have access to the additional supports and resources they need while they are learning remotely.

Read more here.