Put your own mask on first!

Research shows that when adults manage their own stress levels and feel more relaxed, kids do better and are more resilient in coping after a potentially traumatic event. Even before your students are old enough to fully understand what is going on in the world, they may be able tell when you are feeling anxious. Especially during stressful or uncertain times, it is important for teachers to practice self-care. How are you coping? Have you been able to reach out to a friend or take a few minutes to meditate? Take advantage of free mindfulness and meditation resources available during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Talking to students about coronavirus

You may be wondering how you can answer your students' questions about COVID-19 without causing them to worry or panic. Here are some general principles to follow when talking with kids about COVID-19, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Consider these age-specific ideas from UNICEF to educate and engage students in efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Countering coronavirus stigma and racism

As a teacher, you play an important role in facilitating positive conversations among students and countering inaccurate or potentially harmful messages that they may have heard about COVID-19.

The National Association for School Psychologists has put together some tips for teachers to help stop the spread of stigma and racism that has been directed toward individuals of Chinese or Asian descent since the first cases of COVID-19 were identified in China.

It is important to be aware of the historical context surrounding coronavirus racism so that you can better equip your students to combat xenophobia. Teaching Tolerance recommends a four-step process for responding to racism: interrupt, question, educate, and echo.

Check out this teaching idea from Facing History to encourage your students to take a stand against coronavirus racism.

Teaching and supporting students remotely

Remote teaching has come with a unique set of challenges for teachers everywhere. If you are feeling overwhelmed trying to teach remotely and engage students virtually while juggling the rising expectations of parents and administrators, you are not alone.

Teaching Tolerance has compiled a one-stop shop for resources to simplify your teaching during this time. Their website includes ready-to-go lessons and materials that you can share with your students, as well as tools for taking a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach to teaching during COVID-19.

Take a moment to read this reminder from a fellow educator on the real impact that you can have on students' well-being during this time and reflect on how you can set realistic expectations and maintain positive communication with parents and caregivers during remote learning.

Check out this comprehensive list of free resources for teaching and connecting with your students remotely, compiled by Educators for Excellence. The NewSchools Venture Fund has also compiled a list of resources that you can access for free, including sample daily schedules, reading and math lessons, and printable at home packets for different age groups. 

• Scroll to the bottom of this page for more resources for teachers

How administrators can provide support

The National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals have launched a series of webinars and virtual town halls, respectively, to help you navigate how to keep teachers, parents, and students engaged. Check out these tips for creating a supportive school environment during the crisis.

Check out this blog post from a teacher on the unique challenges they are facing during distance learning and the kinds of support they are seeking from administrators.

The School Superintendents' Association has compiled a hub of COVID-19 resources addressing topics such as how to navigate the end of the academic year and support 2020 seniors with the transition to post-secondary, as well as effectively preparing for the return to in-school instruction.

• Scroll to the bottom of this page for more resources for administrators

Preparing to bring students back to school

As a school administrator, you may be grappling with a difficult question: when will it be safe to bring students back to school? While there isn't a clear answer yet, the Centers for Disease Control has put together this decision tree to help you decide when it is safe to resume in-person instruction.

A team of education and health experts suggests following a roadmap of essential actions to plan for a safe and equitable return to school.

When schools do reopen, students and adults alike will need to be supported in managing the psychological and emotional trauma that may have been triggered or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. School psychologists caution that schools which are already under-resourced and stretched thin will likely face the greatest challenges and must have a plan to identify and address the academic and emotional needs of their community.

The North American Center for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response has released guidelines for managing the social-emotional and traumatic impact of COVID-19 during the process of re-entry into the school setting.