When the Students are the Teachers
The impact that the COVID 19 pandemic has had on our mental health has been discussed at length, in multiple formats and forums, since March of 2020. For sure, the detrimental effects of quarantines and school closures are still being felt by our kids. Our family and social lives have been turned upside down... we are finding our way back, but nothing feels the same. This leaves our kids feeling a little lost, and lacking the sense of security and safety that they used to feel in their lives. Diagnoses of mental health disorders are at an all time high, as are, tragically, deaths by suicide. To this end, our schools are attempting to help out and support students by doing regular emotional "check-ins" and incorporating social-emotional learning into their curricula. I'm very fortunate to be able to spend considerable time in our classrooms, "teaching" our students about emotional wellness. This year, my focus is on helping them learn to accurat...