Homewood Health Teacher Resource Centre
"It's the teacher that makes the difference, not the classroom."
The start of a new school year is filled with new opportunities and routines for students, parents and teachers alike. As we continue to adopt new policies and procedures to mitigate and control the spread of COVID-19, the beginning of this school year has created new and unique challenges for everyone directly associated with learning, from policy makers and custodial staff, to our teachers who play an integral role in the safety, development and success of each student.
Please use the resources below to support various aspects that you may encounter during the school year.
We’re here for you.
Managing Stress and Anxiety
As we navigate the beginning of a new school year and the evolving realities of managing classrooms during COVID-19, we may experience potential fear, stress and anxiety due to the overwhelming volume of information and the demands being put in place to combat the spread and risk of infection.
The Many Faces of Anxiety
Anxiety, regardless of a person’s psychological or biological makeup, is highly common. Although it can be triggered by a specific event, such as a trauma or stressful situation, anxiety can also present as a consistent theme in a person’s life, creating challenges in daily activities or interactions as illustrated by COVID-19 and the evolving measures and actions required to limit the risk of exposure and infection.
Understanding Depression
Depression, left untreated can impact people in various ways. It may limit your quality of life, impact your relationships, contribute to absence from work and affect other chronic diseases including diabetes and heart disease. Fortunately, for most people, depression can be treated effectively.
Six Steps to reducing Work Stress
As school begins, the unique circumstances, the changes to protocols and procedures and the changes to your preparation for lessons, activities and interactions with both staff and students, you may experience varying levels of stress throughout the school year.
Student Mental Health
As COVID-19 continues to evolve with increasing measures from health authorities, provincial governments, and regional and/or local school boards you many encounter numerous inquiries within you communities, including those from families and inquisitive children.
Back to School
With September quickly approaching, back-to-school preparation previously signaled a time of renewal and change, exciting students as they prepared for the highly anticipated school year. In 2020, that excitement has been coupled with anxiety and in some instances fear for students, parents and teachers given the new realities of COVID-19 and our collective attempts to limit the spread and risk of infection, while addressing the needs of continued education in safe and productive environments.
Managing Workplace Change
Successful organizations including education institutions must constantly change to keep their competitive edge and the ability to remain nimble in an ever changing world. New technologies, new processes, new personnel, new products, and new strategies are constantly being introduced. These changes may be essential, but they’re not always easy to deal with.
Parenting during a Pandemic
As we enter a new month and school year, COVID-19 protocols and the evolving implications of the pandemic are establishing new norms and roles within family units for parents, guardian, and teachers along with others tasked with childcare responsibilities.