Social Emotional Resources
for RPS Staff
Self-Care Strategies
1. Trim Your List - Make and rank a list of your top 10 priorities. Circle your top 3 and work to devote 95% of your time to those 3.
2. Allow Yourself to Stop - Stop and relax your brain, even if only for a few minutes.
3. Embrace Vulnerability - Educators struggle with this, but it's important to be vulnerable.
4. Reach Out to Experts - Each educator has an area of expertise. Reach out to others for help. Normalize help-seeking.
5. Pass your Umbrella - You can't continually "hold the umbrella" that shields and protects others. Pass the umbrella. Give yourself a break.
Remember, SELF-CARE ISN"T SELFISH. It is necessary for you to care for your health and wellness so that you can continue to care for those around you. Take care!
Find Support for Self or a Loved One
Are you or a loved one in need of counseling services at this time? Here are three options available for staff to help meet your social-emotional needs during this challenging time.
- Pine Rest Central Access is assisting adults and children in an online format. Their services include traditional outpatient counseling sessions, substance abuse treatment, and inpatient treatment. Call 1-866-852-4001 and a staff member can assist you in navigating the options that are best for you and/or your family.
- North Kent Guidance is currently able to provide counseling via tele-health with a wide range of providers. They offer counseling, treatment, and evaluation services, short and long-term. Call 616-361-5001 to speak with a staff member.
- Reach out to your building counselor, SEL Coach, or RPS Mental Health Liaison if you need support. Beginning April 13, counselors will hold virtual office hours too! Information on scheduling those meetings will be provided when available.
Mental Health Resources
Strategies to Support Students During Instruction
Presume positive! Assume the student is doing his/her best. Remember that some of the best face-to-face students may struggle with the new online format.
Provide feedback! During times of grading and no grading, constructive feedback will support student learning and motivation.
Support engagement! This will be a big hurdle in times when you can't observe your students working.
- Convey excitement and positive approach
- Emphasize instrinsic motivation
- Prioritize the essential and help students see why it's essential. "You will need this..."
- Reimagine assessment - How can a student demonstrate skill or knowledge?
- Provide work that students can complete with the support you provide (i.e. video, recorded lesson, simluation). Engagement will quickly dwindle if the students aren't capable of doing the assigned work.
Additional resources:
ASCD Article "Transitioning to Online Learning: Pro Tips on What You Need to Know"