Abstract

On a typical day, pre-COVID 19, educators are pulled in many directions, making hundreds, if not thousands, of quick decisions. Today those dynamics are heightened with varied and additional competing needs. However, what has not changed is the essential role of an educator. Caring for students in a time of such uncertainty seems critical. However, while there is serious and necessary demand for caring for the students and families, one population that is gravely being overlooked are the helpers. The educators. Less emphasis is being placed on the wellness and self-care of those who are offering those needed social-emotional supports. For a myriad of reasons, it is clear that emphasis must be placed on tending to the needs of Kansas educators’ well-being. In an effort to maintain educator passion and performance, messages around self-care, building social-emotionally competent classrooms and school climates are addressed.

Keywords: social-emotional, self-care, help, connecting, educators, passion, teachers, school counselors, administrators, COVID-19

How to Cite:

Lane, J. J., Dr., McKeeman, L., Dr. & Bonella, L., (2020) “Helping the helpers: Tending to Kansas educators’ social-emotional needs and self-care during a pandemic”, The Advocate 26(1).