Anxiety. Stress. Burnout. Some school boards are seeing a doubling of teachers on sick leave as the COVID-19 pandemic takes a major toll on their mental health.
Story by @nadineyousif_
thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…
Story by @nadineyousif_
thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…
High school drama teacher Mary Fraser-Hamilton was teaching online while juggling virtual school for her own young children at home. After a few months, she couldn't think clearly anymore. Her patience with herself and others was wearing thin. thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…
Fraser-Hamilton decided then to take a short-term leave for the first time in her 13-year career in education, to recover from what became overwhelming feelings of stress and anxiety. thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…
Teachers and experts who spoke to the Star underscored high levels of persistent burnout in education workers not seen before. thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…
Teachers are worried about their safety, that of their students and their own families at home; and are struggling with a sense of helplessness as they navigate their changing role under COVID-19, where some of their students are still learning online. thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…
Joe Pelliccione, a teacher at an elementary school in Scarborough, faced a dilemma when Ontario announced a full return to class: his aging father is ill, and returning meant not being able to see his family in person for fear of bringing COVID home. thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…
According to polls by Mental Health Research Canada, self-reported anxiety rates among teachers went up 53% since the pandemic began — higher than any other profession, including nurses, who saw a 50% increase. thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…
Some unions say they worry about teachers’ career longevity. At Peel District School Board, more elementary teachers have been contemplating early retirements or resignations, said Jessica Cooper, a grievance officer with Peel Elementary Teachers’ local. thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…
In Fraser-Hamilton’s drama class, the anxiety has been largely tied to the hybrid model of teaching; half her students are in the classroom, while the others learn from home. The model has been heavily criticized across school boards that have adopted it. thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…
What’s kept teachers resilient through the challenges of the pandemic, kindergarten teacher Gurpreet Rai said, is relying on colleagues for support to get through pandemic schooling in absence of support from leadership. thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…
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