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It’s not just you, the topic of COVID fatigue seems to be everywhere right now (Ries, J. February 5, 2021). And, rightfully so. We are closing in on a year of living through a global pandemic. The adrenaline-pumping newness of it all has well and truly worn off and we are now fully entrenched in the monotony of lockdowns, restrictions, lack of social contact with friends and family, face masks and hand sanitizer, and, for many, additional responsibilities to their workload with COVID safety protocols and cleaning procedures. It’s all downright exhausting.
In “normal” years, there are somewhat predictable wellness patterns with the teachers we work with; the challenges that teachers experience and when they tend to experience them have a general flow. In 2020 though, the word “unpredictable” just doesn’t seem to do it justice. Teacher wellness was challenged in unexpected and difficult ways. And, with today marking the first day back in the classroom for many, we think it’s a good time to look back at some of those unique struggles that emerged for teachers throughout 2020 and that we should keep in mind as we move forward into 2021.
As the school year approached in August, teachers, and those of us who support teacher wellness, were firmly focused on COVID-19 and the upcoming school year. And, rightly so. No one knew what was to come, and it seemed as though things were changing by the hour. However, buried in the non-stop health information that was coming at us before the start of the new school year was the fact that the Canadian obesity guidelines had been updated for the first time since 2007. While we don’t know exactly how many Canadian teachers are affected by obesity, we do know that approximately 26.4% (8.3 million) of Canadians over the age of 18 are classified as “obese” (Twells, Janssen, & Luk, 2018). And, if this proportion translates directly to the Canadian teacher population, we could estimate that roughly 202,849 teachers across Canada are struggling with obesity – a not insignificant number.
I was introduced to The Well Teacher last year and have found myself going back to this resource when I find myself overwhelmed
Isabella L., High School Teacher
The Well Teacher has been a great tool and resource for all my staff, not just the teachers.
Deborah L., Principal
This helpful resource is full of practical tips for the daily and long-term challenges of teaching.
Shannon V., Elementary Teacher
I recommend this book to teachers at any stage of their career.
Mike K., BCTF
This book offers teachers of all levels plans, tips, guidelines and more, to help them maintain a long and healthy career.
Vince C., School Counsellor
With more than 20 years practicing occupational therapy focusing on the education sector, Wade Repta put much of his expertise down on paper in The Well Teacher.
LynnValleyLife.com
humanworks press is committed to publishing materials that create cultures of wellness. In coordination with humanworks consulting group inc., we aim to support educators at all levels of the education sector.