Educators recognize that students who feel safe, included, and supported perform better academically, socially, and behaviorally. Yet, we’ve often overlooked the importance of ensuring our teachers feel the same. To address that, self-care and wellness are becoming increasingly integral to our pedagogical practices. Here are four strategies educators can use to support mental health and wellness—for both their students and themselves.
Emphasize Caring for Yourself First
Those who enter the education field are often natural caregivers and nurturers. This instinct to put others first—combined with the daily demands of managing a classroom, meeting academic standards, and providing support to students—can leave teachers feeling like their wells have run dry.
However, academic environments that prioritize individual well-being and create supportive, inclusive environments result in better physical, emotional, and mental health for all. To prepare educators for the day-to-day challenges of teaching and administration, more and more training programs are embedding mindfulness, meditation, reflection, and other ways to practice self-care into their curriculums. By learning and modeling these techniques, educators not only sustain their own mental health but also cultivate a classroom culture that values balance, empathy, and emotional resilience.
Invite Collaboration and Open Communication
Peer-to-peer learning helps students deepen their understanding and develop interpersonal skills by encouraging them to share perspectives and build on each other’s ideas. This diversity of thought and perspectives facilitates new ideas but also promotes the idea of collaboration and open communication.
At the administrative level, collaboration is often focused on supporting individual student needs—bringing together specialists like reading coaches or school psychologists. However, administrators and teachers should be thinking about how to integrate collaboration within their own work. Creating cross-departmental or cross-building partnerships encourages mutual respect, reduces isolation, and promotes shared well-being among staff. When educators feel heard and supported by their peers, it strengthens the entire school community.
Promote Social, Emotional and Behavioral Learning
There is a lot of talk about social emotional learning (SEL) and behavioral learning in K-12 programs. But are rising and seasoned educators being given the tools to deepen their own social and emotional development? A big shift seen in pedagogical practices is to provide teaching and administrative scholars with ongoing opportunities to reflect on their teaching philosophy, practices, and their own social and emotional competencies. This intentional investment supports educator well-being, leading to more resilient, engaged, and empathetic staff.
Equally important is reducing the stigma around mental and behavioral health. Educators should be familiar with the resources available to them and their students—and know when to seek additional support or referrals. Creating an informed, supportive environment benefits the entire school community and fosters a culture of care and understanding.
Adopt a Culturally-Relevant Learning Environment
Greater emphasis is being placed on differentiated instruction, which allows students to learn in a manner that suits their individual learning preferences and abilities. This personalized approach empowers students to take ownership of their learning experience, which can foster positive faculty-student relationships as well as peer-to-peer relationships. But going a step further and inviting individuals to show up as their whole selves creates welcoming, inclusive environments that generate a sense of connection and support.
In a culturally-relevant learning environment, participants feel more comfortable expressing their feelings and asking questions. There is a greater sense of belonging and community, in addition to a sense of care and responsibility for one another. Schools can foster culturally-relevant environments by offering affinity groups, mentoring opportunities, and professional development focused on culturally responsive practices.
At the George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development, our students are committed to changing the lives of others through education, leadership, counseling, and policy. They are also shifting the narrative on mental health and well-being, thanks to pedagogical approaches and a wealth of resources to support their physical, social, and mental health outside of the classroom. We invite you to learn more about our programs and join a rising generation of educational leaders who are changing the narrative around health and well-being.