We sat down with a local teacher to hear how she's preparing

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** FACING BACK-TO-SCHOOL STRESS
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As students return to classrooms across the country, teachers are on the frontlines trying to keep students focused and safe. We sat down this week with a local teacher to hear about how she’s preparing. The takeaway: our teachers are brave and ready, but need our support now more than ever.

“Just coming back into the building will cause anxiety for lots of people, not only staff members but also students. I know our staff members will be sensitive to that, and they’re going to start off slow… We’re excited, but we also want to make sure that parents know we’re sensitive to the anxiety.”
- Rob Watson, Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent

We Are Montana founder Cora Neumann spoke with Bozeman-based public school teacher Rhonda Coombs about educators’ COVID-related anxieties and preparations ahead of school being back in session. Rhonda speaks about how students and families can prepare:
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Click here to watch the conversation between Bozeman educator Rhonda Coombs and Dr. Cora Neumann

"Take it one day at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed. Do what you can do each day. If you are having grievances or you’re feeling frustrated, go directly to the person who can do something about it, whether it’s your teacher, principal, or counselor. Keep the community as positive as possible and get answers as quickly as possible.”
- Rhonda Coombs, Bozeman-based public school teacher

The American Institute of Stress has created15 tips to help parents ([link removed]) talk to their children, answer questions, minimize stress, and mitigate their own anxiety about the virus. The New York Timesshared tips for helping teens ([link removed]) adjust to their new dynamics.

Call to action: attend school board meetings to find out how COVID funding is being directed, and advocate for any unmet needs to help keep our teachers and students safe. And last but possibly most importantly: send small gifts or notes of appreciation to your child’s teachers. They are under immense stress, and a simple positive note and word of encouragement could help them get through these days.

Thank you teachers, and parents, for keeping our kids safe. And remember, #MaskUpMT.

Cora

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