As coronavirus virus-related school closures continue to disrupt the nation’s education system, even veteran teachers are feeling pressure, exhaustion and stress — but educators like Michele Lew, an assistant principal at Arcadia High School outside of Los Angeles, have developed unconventional solutions to support staff.

Lew writes for Edutopia that her school implemented a staff help line manned by marriage and family therapist trainees, and it also offers drop-in 30-minute self-care and wellness sessions.

Distance learning is a new skill for many teachers, and it leaves many of them with all the stress of being a first-year educator. It’s an overwhelming career change in an already overwhelming year.

Professional development sessions give teachers opportunities to target specific skills they may be lacking, such as learning how to use platforms like Flipgrid, and creating weekly goals can allow them to reach small benchmarks without feeling overwhelmed. Remaining mindful of teachers’ workloads is also critical, experts says, especially because virtual learning platforms can have a steep learning curve.

Teacher motivation and buy-in are other keys to success in distance learning. Marlon Styles, superintendent of Middletown City School District in Ohio, urges administrators to make sure teachers are taking care of themselves and having fun with their students. From communitywide fight songs to virtual fire drills, Styles told Education Dive administrators should rely on the positive school culture that predated coronavirus to find ways to make school fun even when it's at a distance.

Read the full article about strategies for staff by Shawna De La Rosa at Education Dive.