Supporting Teacher and Staff Well-Being
It might feel like summer, but the first days of school are just around the corner. As district leaders, school administrators, and team leaders prepare for a successful year, there’s an important factor that can impact success in the classroom: teacher and staff well-being.
Research shows that educator well-being has been linked to stability in schools, teaching effectiveness, and student achievement. According to a 2023 Merrimack College survey of kindergarten-grade 12 educators, 42% reported their mental health and wellness impacts their work. Supporting the mental health and resilience of teachers and staff is critical for creating a positive school climate and retaining quality educators.
This school year, we want to help set the right tone to create a healthy, happy, and caring culture in schools. Kaiser Permanente and our partners have tools and resources for district leaders, administrators, and teams to help support staff from the first bell to the last.
From professional development courses to wellness tools, there is something for everyone. These no-cost resources are designed to encourage and enhance teacher and staff well-being.
Here are just some of what our 2024 Back to School Tip Sheet includes*!
- Identify your “why” for the upcoming school year with the Reflect on Meaning
- Relieve stress, get energized, and stay engaged throughout your professional development by watching RISE UP mini-training videos.
- Determine how psychological safety can be improved at your school by taking the Building Psychological Safety
- Create and implement a regular culture of appreciation with ideas from the Building a Sustainable Gratitude Practice in Your School Community
- Learn about the impact mental health and wellness can have at school and how to support your colleagues with Mental Health Awareness Training.
- Create lasting lifestyle changes and get better sleep with the Healthy Lifestyle and the Rest and Revive
- Learn ways you can take care of your body, mind, and spirit with the help of self-care wellness tools — including apps, videos, and more.
- Find resources that can help you or someone you know meet basic daily needs — like housing, food, child care, and more — at the Community Support Hub.
No matter when you head back to school, Kaiser Permanente is here to support all of you. Download the 2024-2025 Back to School Tip Sheet for teacher and staff well-being, and for additional information and no-cost tools — including case studies, eLearning, checklists, and more — visit our Thriving Schools resources page.
*Some resources require signing up for a no-cost Healthier Generation Action Center account.
