Saint Joseph's College of Maine announced an upcoming webinar series highlighting tools and resources for educator well-being. The announcement followed the conclusion of the school’s inaugural Summer Institute on Well-Being for Educators and School Personnel. Designed to engage educators and school administrators in active learning about well-being, the weeklong event featured expert-led discussions, including a demonstration around the use of therapy dogs in a classroom. Each conversation took a closer look at how to connect educators to self-care, professional growth, and other well-being opportunities.
“Across the state, the term ‘burnt out’ is becoming more and more synonymous with our educators,” said Pamela Thompson, Program Director of Graduate Online Education at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. “We know that providing our teachers, and all school personnel, with effective and accessible well-being resources is essential for our communities, our families, and our societies in the days and months to come. Our goal is that this new webinar series will be an immediate source of much-needed inspiration and guidance as teachers lead their classrooms this fall.”
A 2023 RAND survey shared that “in 2023, teachers were still almost twice as likely as employed U.S. adults to experience frequent job-related stress.” The survey continued, sharing that 78 percent of teachers reported experiencing at least one of the indicators of negative well-being. The 2023 study compounds the sense of urgency shared in the think tank’s 2021 survey which noted that about 1 in 4 teachers said they were experiencing symptoms of depression. In a separate survey, RAND also found that most secondary school principals were experiencing frequent job-related stress—and one of their big stressors was supporting teachers’ mental health and well-being.
The webinar, which will be titled “Off the Shelf,” will feature practical resources that will extend the conversations created by this week’s Summer Institute. Topics will include social and emotional learning tools and resources, tips for dealing with AI in the classroom, and how to advocate for well-being opportunities on campus. The series is expected to be available October 2024. Educators and school personnel interested in the webinar series can stay informed by visiting the college’s website.
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering educators with the knowledge and tools needed to foster a positive and healthy work environment. Through this continued effort, the college aims to support the well-being of all educators, ultimately benefiting the students and communities they serve.
