Educators Helping Educators: "We're at the tip of a social-emotional iceberg"

To connect with a crisis counselor through the National Crisis Text Line in Ohio, text 4HOPE to 741 741. The Crisis Text Line is a free, confidential service available 24/7 via text on mobile devices

Wellness Wednesday: DeStress Disco Bash 

Wednesday, May 26 @ 6 p.m.Open to all OEA membersClick here to register

Featured Education Matters guest: 

Andrew Smith, MSW, LISW-SAndrew is a school social worker in the Sheffield-Sheffield Lake City Schools (Lorain County) and has over twenty years of experience in public education.  Prior to serving as a school social worker, Andrew was a middle school science teacher for the first fifteen years of his career. He received his undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University in science education and his Master of Social Work from Cleveland State University in the area of direct practice.  Andrew received his school social worker license through Case Western Reserve University and Baldwin Wallace.Andrew has gained his experience working in child welfare, public school, crisis counseling, and private practice.  Andrew has specialized training in working with at-risk adolescents and those with relationship or mood disorders.  Andrew is a trainer for the Lorain County Schools Crisis Counseling Team, and is a QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Instructor.   Andrew is the President of the Sheffield-Sheffield Lake Teachers’ Association (OEA/NEA) and currently serves as the OEA Wellness Cadre Chairperson and sits on the Board of Directors for the Northeastern Ohio Education Association.  

In this episode:

"These are the experts. These are the people in our membership who really know how we provide good mental health wellness and mental health support for people."1:30 - Wraparound service personnel, including school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, and school nurses coming together with teachers and ESPs to form the OEA Wellness Cadre early in the pandemic3:15 - Launching Wellness Wednesdays to provide resources and professional knowledge for educators' personal lives as well as an outlet through fun events to reconnect5:25 - Planning a disco party to celebrate surviving the school year. "We understand this pandemic has twists and turns, but there are some needs for celebrations. As OEA members, we have made sacrifices to support our students, support our communities, and we're on the tip of a social-emotional iceberg."7:15 - Educators struggle with all or nothing approaches and recognizing their own capacity: "If you cannot take care of yourself, you are going to be at a limited capacity to help others."8:40 - Educating educators about the power of writing out task lists rather than setting reminders on your phone, reconnecting with other people, and other good coping strategies10:15 - It's okay to put up limits and find balance. 11:30 - Moving away from instant replies12:30 - Battling burnout13:45 - When to seek professional support and how to access your district's Employee Assistance Program15:15 - Using the National Crisis Text Line: Throughout Ohio, you can text the keyword “ 4hope ” to 741 741 to be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor. 16:40 - Spreading the word about Wellness Wednesdays and planning for the future of the program17:45 - "The pandemic has really brought to light the critical importance of mental health support."18:45 - Joining the OEA Wellness Cadre"People have to be mindful of their own capacity. When we talk about a balloon, when we're filling that balloon whether that's with air or water, there is a capacity. We can't just add a whole bunch of other 15 minute things or another event, we have to stay balanced. I think educators struggle with that."

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About us:

The Ohio Education Association represents about 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May, 2020, after a ten-year career as a television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. 

This episode was recorded in late April, 2021.