During the pandemic, teachers have adapted to maintain the educational levels of their students, often extending their work beyond the boundaries of their pre-COVID roles as educators. Reaching out to students who are struggling has become commonplace for many teachers, making them a key front-line resource for monitoring student mental health and general well-being. Studies show that teachers are also helping students access other resources, including support for such basic needs as food, clothing, and housing. In worst-case scenarios, when students are unsafe at home or are subject to violence or sexual abuse, teachers may be the only available resource to identify such cases. Most teachers are not being compensated, however, for the added work of adapting their courses to an online environment, not to mention their ad-hoc roles as mental health professionals and social workers. As a result, teachers are experiencing enormous pressures as they strive to provide an additional line of support to their students.
BEYOND REOPENING SCHOOLS: HOW EDUCATION CAN EMERGE STRONGER THAN BEFORE COVID-19
“‘Thank You Teachers.’”
“What It’s Like to Be a Teacher During Coronavirus Pandemic”
“What Teachers Wish the Public Knew About Their Jobs During COVID-19”
