Teachers and administrative staff have always taken care of our children in the classroom. Recently, we have seen how they have had to take care of their education online. Now, we know summer break is not really a break for them.
It is an uncertain time as the state waits to see what is going to happen with in-person classes come fall.
"Yes. Teachers emotionally invest," Holly Gorman said through tears. "Sorry."
Gorman got emotional when asked about what it was like to go from seeing students every day at Paradise Valley High School to suddenly being separated.
"That... was really hard," Gorman said.
It is her job as JAG Coordinator at PVHS to help students get college and career ready.
"Teachers invest a lot... a lot of time. Right? A lot resources," Gorman said. "And most importantly, their heart."
How do they protect their heart and their emotions after changing everything they knew about their job?
The Rebound Arizona is dedicated to highlighting opportunities for the community to take action with their mental health.
Gorman said she found relief through online workshops, videos, and seminars from Valley Schools.
"They sent out some virtual classes that we could do online," Gorman explained. "... Yoga is one of my favorites."
Valley Schools is a non-profit that works with 22 school districts in the state in insurance administration.
Kendall Taylor is the Valley School's Wellness Director. She said they knew they had to work quickly to turn all of their in-person workshops into things teachers and staff could do outside the classroom.
"We have Six Pillars of Health and out of those, people can order different workshops," Taylor explained. "A lot of that is going to be based on rest, presentation, boosting your immunity, things that you can eat to stay healthy at this time. We also have exercise classes."
Taylor said, they know educators need these resources more than ever, so they plan on expanding while we wait to see Arizona's plan for the classrooms next school year.