How to Help School Staff Thrive

Format

Individual Presentation

Format

Workshop

Presenters

• Moore Well-Being

First Presenter's Institution

Moore Well-Being

First Presenter’s Email Address

drjennmoore@gmail.com

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Dr. Jenn Moore, former principal, teacher and coach, is thrilled that her career has led her to provide professional development to educators around the world who work with students at all levels, birth through graduate school. From building curricula to providing educators and caregivers with the resources they need to create psychological safety, Dr. Moore has touched many parts of education. She has primarily served students and families of color, English language learners, and families experiencing poverty. Her professional priority is the well-being of both children and adults in school communities.

Location

Scarbrough 1

Strand #1

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Strand #2

Hands: Safety & Violence Prevention

Relevance

The "Helping Your Staff Thrive" workshop significantly supports the mental health of educators and fosters a safe, violence-free school environment. By promoting emotional and social well-being, the workshop underscores the importance of understanding and implementing the seven dimensions of well-being: physical, social, emotional, financial, spiritual, environmental, and cognitive. Through self-reflection, educators become more aware of their mental health needs, enabling them to model positive, respectful, and empathetic behavior in the classroom.

The workshop can build strong relationships and a sense of community among staff by encouraging collaboration and sharing of well-being strategies. This fosters mutual support and cohesion, reducing the likelihood of conflict and violence. Emphasizing restorative practices, which focus on repairing harm and building relationships, further contributes to a culture of accountability and non-violence.

Educators are provided with an organizing framework and tools like the well-being wheel and planning processes to support individual and organizational well-being systematically that they can use with their colleagues when they return to school. These tools help establish policies and practices that promote safety, respect, and well-being, creating a healthier, safer school environment. Effective communication strategies taught in the workshop help educators manage difficult conversations and navigate conflicts constructively, preventing escalation into violence.

The workshop enhances mental health and resilience by offering stress management strategies, helping educators maintain emotional balance and resilience. The emphasis on strong support systems ensures that both staff and students feel valued and connected, reducing feelings of isolation and frustration that can lead to violent behavior. The well-being of staff is crucial in order to support students who are experiencing trauma. If the adults in the building are not regulated, then they will not be able to co-regulate students who might be struggling.

Creating a positive school climate is essential for preventing violence, and the workshop contributes significantly to this goal. A focus on well-being helps identify and mitigate potential issues proactively, allowing schools to implement preventive measures and interventions that support a safe and nurturing environment. Ultimately, this workshop equips educators with the knowledge, skills, and tools to create and maintain a violence-free school, ensuring the well-being of the entire school community.

By supporting the mental health of educators, this workshop empowers them to create a nurturing and supportive environment for their students, leading to a positive and holistic approach to well-being within the school community.

Brief Program Description

This workshop empowers educators to enhance their mental health and well-being, fostering a supportive, violence-free school environment. Participants will explore the seven dimensions of well-being, engage in self-reflection, and learn practical strategies for stress management and effective communication. The workshop provides tools to build a positive school climate, encouraging collaboration, restorative practices, and strong support systems for staff and students.

Summary

This workshop is designed to empower educators by enhancing their mental health and well-being, thereby fostering a supportive and nurturing school environment. This comprehensive workshop addresses the multifaceted dimensions of well-being, including physical, social, emotional, financial, spiritual, environmental, and cognitive aspects.

At the core of the workshop is the promotion of self-awareness and personal well-being. Educators are guided through reflective practices that help them recognize their mental health needs and identify stressors. This self-reflection is crucial in developing effective coping strategies that can be integrated into their daily routines, ultimately reducing stress and enhancing overall mental health.

The workshop emphasizes creating a supportive school environment through an organizing framework that supports well-being at both individual and organizational levels. By learning to implement this framework, educators can establish policies and practices that prioritize mental health, fostering a safer and more respectful school atmosphere.

Collaboration and sharing are key components of the workshop. Educators are encouraged to share ideas and strategies for well-being, building a sense of community and mutual support among staff. This collaborative approach not only strengthens relationships but also reduces the likelihood of conflict and violence within the school.

The workshop equips educators with practical tools and resources, such as the well-being wheel and planning processes, to systematically approach well-being initiatives in their schools. Participants receive materials that they can use to sustain and enhance well-being practices, ensuring long-term benefits for their school communities.

Promoting student well-being is another critical outcome of the workshop. Educators who prioritize their own well-being model healthy behaviors for their students, creating a positive learning environment. Equipped with well-being strategies, educators are better prepared to support their students' mental health and implement school-wide practices that benefit both teachers and students.

Ultimately, the "Helping Your Staff Thrive" workshop provides educators with the knowledge, skills, and tools to create and maintain a nurturing, supportive, and violence-free school environment, ensuring the well-being of the entire school community.

Evidence

Here are 15 research studies that highlight how teacher well-being positively impacts student resiliency:

1. **Oberle, E., & Schonert-Reichl, K. A. (2016)** - This study found a direct link between teacher burnout and elevated cortisol levels in students, indicating that teacher stress can significantly affect student stress and well-being (Social Science & Medicine).

2. **Briner, R., & Dewberry, C. (2007)** - This large-scale study showed that teacher well-being positively influences student performance, even after controlling for other variables (Worklife Support Ltd/Hamilton House).

3. **Roffey, S. (2012)** - This research highlighted the necessity of promoting teacher well-being through professional development, correlating high teacher well-being with reduced need for student interventions (Educational & Child Psychology).

4. **Dreer, B. (2023)** - A systematic review emphasized that teacher well-being is crucial for creating a positive school environment, which in turn fosters student success (Frontiers in Psychology).

5. **McCallum, F. (2021)** - This study explored how teacher and staff well-being impacts the overall school climate, affecting both student engagement and academic outcomes (The Palgrave Handbook of Positive Education).

6. **Kelty Mental Health (n.d.)** - Research demonstrated that supportive teacher-student relationships, fostered by teacher well-being, are key to positive student mental health outcomes (Kelty Mental Health).

7. **Hattie, J. (2009)** - A meta-analysis showed that visible learning strategies, including those that support teacher well-being, have a significant positive impact on student achievement (Visible Learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses).

8. **Dinsdale, R. (2017)** - This study linked positive school culture, driven by teacher well-being, with improved student resilience and academic performance (BU Journal of Graduate Studies in Education).

9. **National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (2018)** - This guide stressed the importance of school employee wellness programs in improving both staff and student health outcomes (Healthy School, Healthy Staff, Healthy Students).

10. **American Institutes for Research (n.d.)** - Highlighted the role of a positive school climate in supporting students facing adversity and trauma, influenced significantly by teacher well-being (School Climate Improvement Resource Package).

11. **Quin, D. (2017)** - Found that strong teacher-student relationships, fostered by teacher well-being, enhance student engagement and resilience (Review of Educational Research).

12. **Astor, R.A., & Moore, H. (2021)** - This research indicated that positive school climates, supported by teacher well-being, lead to better academic and social outcomes for students (Journal of Community Psychology).

13. **Oberle, E., & Schonert-Reichl, K. A. (2016)** - Another study by these authors found that teacher well-being is critical in reducing student stress levels, further supporting student resilience (Social Science & Medicine).

14. **Hulsheger et al. (2013)** - Demonstrated that mindfulness practices among teachers, which enhance well-being, positively affect students' emotional and academic outcomes (Mindfulness in Education).

15. **Neff, K. (2003)** - Research on self-compassion showed that teachers who practice self-compassion and mindfulness contribute to a more supportive and resilient student environment (Self-Compassion Scale).

These studies collectively highlight the significant impact of teacher well-being on fostering student resilience, underscoring the importance of supporting educators to enhance the overall school environment and student outcomes.

Learning Objective 1

gain comprehensive knowledge of the seven dimensions of well-being (physical, social, emotional, financial, spiritual, environmental, and cognitive) and learn how to implement practical strategies to enhance their own well-being and that of their colleagues. They will understand the critical role of well-being in creating a supportive and effective school environment.

Learning Objective 2

explore and apply techniques for fostering a positive and collaborative school climate. They will engage in activities that emphasize the importance of strong relationships, restorative practices, and effective communication skills, which are essential for reducing conflict, managing stress, and promoting a violence-free environment.

Learning Objective 3

develop skills for personal resilience and professional growth. Through the appreciative planning process and other professional development activities, they will learn to focus on positive aspects of their work, reduce burnout, and increase job satisfaction. They will also be equipped with tools and resources to bring back to their schools, ensuring the sustainability of well-being initiatives and contributing to the overall success and resilience of both staff and students.

Keyword Descriptors

wellness, well-being, staff, thrive, self-care, burnout, support, culture, climate

Presentation Year

2025

Start Date

3-4-2025 11:30 AM

End Date

3-4-2025 1:00 PM

Recommended Citation

Moore Well-Being, "How to Help School Staff Thrive" (2025). National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference. 94.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2025/2025/94