Resources

Educator well-being is often approached in terms of self-care, with an overreliance on individual strategies and supports for well-being. Although well-intentioned, this approach can inadvertently put the onus on individuals to heal and care for themselves, ignoring the impacts of systems and structures on individual and collective well-being.

This guide is for education leaders at all levels—local, regional, and state—in charge of supporting their education staff. It offers practical information and guidance on educator well-being in these ever-challenging times. The guide includes the following sections to help education leaders co-create educational environments that are systems of well-being:

• Key Concepts: the “what” and “why,” providing background information on the ecological systems framework and the root causes of and conditions for well-being; the relationship between brains, bodies, behaviors, and environments; influences of bias and perception on educator well-being; and shifting systems
• Tips for Using the Strategies: the foundational elements of applying the guide’s strategies
• Strategies: the “how,” offering some ways to rethink and redesign education systems as well as some preventative and restorative strategies, with specific examples
• References: works cited throughout the guide

Education leaders are encouraged to read the guide with colleagues and discuss it in collaborative settings. The guide’s introduction to key concepts is followed by suggested activities that individuals or groups can use to actively engage with the content.