Supporting Elementary Schools During This Back-to-School Season
This time of year, we often see advertisement signage that says, “We love Teachers” or “We Support our School.” Supporting educators during the back-to-school season should never be just a token slogan or campaign. Supporting educators is far more meaningful when the actions of supporters truly match their words. Do Your actions really show your support for educators and schools at the elementary level?
Physical Support-There are so many demands on educators these days. From testing data to classroom engagement, the day is filled with many tasks. There is a saying, there’s no tired, like teacher tired. This is so true. After the first few days of school, teachers are physically exhausted. Back and foot pain are real physical symptoms that teachers experience. Lending a hand to help move items easily is a must since educators rarely get the “muscle” support they need to move things around in their rooms. For example, having bookshelves on rollers allows educators to quickly change the setup of their classroom. Other ideas include assisting them with lesson planning with ready-to-use printables. By targeting your support to help relieve some of the physical demands will lighten the heavy load placed upon our educators, and your actions will speak louder than words.
Mental Support- Not only are educators physically exhausted, but they experience burnout at a higher rate than ever before. Elementary teacher’s burnout is even higher; most only last five years. Having mental health resources that validate educators is well overdue. Promoting self-care is a vital way to support current and future educators. Educators need to know you are concerned about their mental wellbeing, and actually doing something to help them improve their work-life balance would be decisive.
Financial Support-Far too many educators use their own money to fund classroom projects. This may never stop, but to make the money stretch further will definitely show how much you support educators. Back-to-school sales are lovely, but when their summer checks are already spent on their own essentials, it doesn’t go very far. Finding and utilizing classroom grants is a benevolent cause because it impacts so many more lives than the awarded educators. Yes, educators love discounts and feel supported when offered them throughout the year.
Through reflection, it may cause you and others to rethink how to effectively and meaningfully support our educators. Is it in words alone, or do you walk the walk? Other ideas or considerations may include
Sponsoring back-to-school events that provide essentials for students takes the weight off educators. Â
Offering discounts to teachers throughout the year and not just in the fall to offset classroom costs.
Developing options to help educators with lesson planning at low or no cost.
As you foster relationships with schools and districts, may you truly support them by finding out their specific needs. Most schools are struggling to fill positions and meet the basic educational needs of their students. By developing these partnerships, you will be supporting your schools and educators by your actions and not meaningless words.Â
Written by: Teresa Marchant
School Librarian at LOCKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT 26
Teresa has been an educator for over 25 years. She holds a Master’s in Educational Technology with an emphasis in Online Instruction from Montana State University as well as a certificate in School Library Media from the University of Washington. Over the years she has served in many capacities at the state and local level. Highlights include being the Vice Chair of the Certification Standards and Practices Advisory Council to the Montana Board of Public Education, a member of the School Leadership Team and Chair of the Professional Development Committee for her school district, and a member of the Montana Library Association board. She loves learning and enjoys helping others!
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