BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio (WTRF) — It’s not an easy time to be a teacher.
That’s why Union Local School District is thrilled to receive a $20,000 grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.
Provide workplace health counseling to employees.
Dr. Zach Schatler says fewer and fewer young people are becoming teachers.
Teachers today are helping many students cope with significant trauma and suffering in their lives.
But helping and giving can be exhausting and draining.
This leads to higher incidences of teacher burnout.
“I believe it’s our responsibility, and our district’s responsibility, to provide mental health support and skills to our employees. And it requires investing in and taking care of yourself. And optimism training, tenacity training, resilience training. These are all skills that can be learned, that can be trained. Unfortunately, people don’t have the time or they don’t know how to do it.”
Dr. Zach Schatler, Union District Superintendent
They will undergo 15 sessions with mental wellness coach Joel Morey.
Starting from August onwards, some sessions will be for all staff and others for small groups.
Dr. Shuttler says professional sports teams have some of the best psychologists on staff.
He says school systems need them as well.
