It’s somehow already February of this school year. We started the year with hopes that this one would be easier than the last two, but we all have the lived experience that has told us differently. Many members feel overwhelmed and overburdened while others are suffering compassion fatigue. It’s so easy for people who don’t do what we do daily to tell us to get rest, or seek self care but there is more happening than those words can fix. Rest and utilizing support services are valuable tools, but more is weighing on the teaching profession at this time. In Psychology Today they describe this burnout as "a state of chronic stress that leads to physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, detachment, and feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment. I have heard this sentiment echoed from many teachers and I want you to know that you are not alone. No matter the grade level or content area, type of school, state or country this pandemic has had an effect on us all in many ways. Some would have you take a side, or try to quickly get back to normalcy, but I read somewhere that global pandemics drastically change societies, especially for the people suffering long term symptoms, or who have lost multiple family, friends, and acquaintances. No one can decide for another that they are ok, or that it’s time to move on. Please keep this in mind when dealing with our students, their parents as well as our fellow staff members. As political winds go in every directions let's try to be more kind to one another and show compassion to each other every day.
It is also officially Black History Month, during this month there is a highlighting and celebration of the stories of Black Americans and their important impact in American History. During this time we also have to face the systemic inequity, bias and racism that has persisted over many years in various sectors of life. Not just this month but every day we should be striving to achieve racial equity not just in words but in our advocacy and in action in our daily lives. Studying facts in textbooks and reading books on diverse cultures is suddenly or once again under attack. Now more than ever, it is imperative not to remain silent and let the information that is part of the bedrock of building this nation be hidden and erased. If we don’t know where we have come from, and we aren't taught about the good and painful parts of our history, how will we know to respect how hard we have worked and sacrificed as a nation to make changes for the better.
Lastly, this week 2/7-2/11 is National School Counseling Week, so I couldn’t miss the opportunity to say thank you to our counselors for the connections they make with our students and the lasting impact they have in guiding and supporting so many lives. This week is designed to focus public attention on the unique contribution and necessity of school counselors within our school systems. So Thank A Counselor! #NSCW2022
