This is the sixteenth part of the blog series,5 Years Later: Lessons, Innovation, and the Future of Public Education, exploring how PreK-12 education has evolved and what lessons we carry forward. This series will highlight the resilience, creativity, and strategic adaptations that have redefined public education since the pandemic. Read more posts from the series here.
The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated a vital truth about education鈥攐ur educators鈥� well-being is the cornerstone of student success.
Generation Wellness Training (Students from the Teacher Academy class).
Serving as President of the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) during this tumultuous period equipped me with insights that now drive Peninsula School District鈥檚 commitment to holistic support systems for our staff.
As a new Superintendent of Peninsula School District, I came in after eight years of serving a smaller rural district and was looking to build a partnership with union leadership that would prioritize health and wellness.
Our union president of the Peninsula Education Association (PEA) was Carol Rivera, and she too was seeking a systemic approach to wellness and health for her membership.
We met early in the 2021鈥�22 school year to explore grants from NEA and local health organizations. PEA was awarded the NEA Great Public Schools Grant.
Wellness is not an afterthought鈥攊t is essential to the life of our schools.
Wellness as a Priority
The Peninsula School District, in partnership with PEA and NEA鈥檚 Great Public Schools Grant, is leading the way statewide in focusing on educator well-being through mindfulness and work-life balance.
Together, we have implemented wellness initiatives, training, and activities in all our buildings, promoting staff and student well-being as a cornerstone of healthy schools.
Supported by the NEA grant, our district鈥檚 wellness initiatives were designed to meet the diverse needs of our staff. Through professional learning and wellness workshops, educators were equipped to handle the stressors of a transformed educational landscape since COVID-19.
Our strategic alliance with Kaiser Permanente provided comprehensive resources, contributing to improved retention rates and stronger recruitment.
Key components of our wellness efforts include:
Representation from all 17 buildings and the District Office serving on leadership teams, delivering monthly wellness content, resources, and connection opportunities.
Grant-supported wellness activities at every site, including hospitality, book clubs, supplies, materials, regulation stations, and training.
Training for elementary and secondary staff to support social-emotional learning (SEL), well-being, and balance for educators and students, including a program called EduKay, as well as Generation Wellness and the 40 Hour Teacher Workweek.
Creation of a District Well-Being Committee and adoption of Board Policy 5515: Workforce Well-Being and Secondary Traumatic Stress Prevention.
Development of Educator-Focused Trauma Response Plans at every site.
Collaboration with the BEST program to support early-career educators and cultivate a shared commitment to staff well-being between PEA and the district, highlighted in the weekly Wellness Wednesday newsletter.
Nature as a Classroom: Outdoor Learning Innovations
Generation Wellness Training (Secondary Educators)
In addition to these wellness strategies, we launched the Norwegian Barnehagen outdoor Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Eagle Quest programs鈥攁n innovative response to the desire for nature-based learning. These initiatives encourage students to explore and learn within natural settings, seamlessly integrating academic curricula with environmental education.
Preliminary results show enhanced student engagement and improved social-emotional development, validating this educational approach. The impact of our efforts is evident in stories like that of an educator who found renewed energy through our professional support programs, transforming her classroom into a vibrant learning space. Similarly, the Eagle Quest initiative sparked significant engagement among students who previously struggled, illustrating the profound effect of connecting education with nature.
Join the Movement
As superintendents, we are poised to shape the future of education. I encourage you to consider these strategies in your districts, fostering environments where educators and students not only succeed but thrive. By prioritizing wellness and innovation, we can craft educational communities that are resilient, engaged, and forward-thinking.
