Three Successful Wellness Programs for Educational Institutions
In the heart of Illinois, several schools are making a significant shift towards prioritizing the wellbeing of their staff and students. This transformation is spearheaded by Glenbrook High School District 225 and Downers Grove South High School, both of which are reevaluating their educational approach through a wellbeing lens.
Guided by the principles of belonging and optimism, nearly all classrooms in these schools have undergone a redesign. The physical education department at Glenbrook South, for instance, has focused on belonging and vitality, redesigning its entire program to become a CrossFit affiliate and going through Crossfit Level 1 certification.
The district's emphasis on wellbeing is not just superficial; it is seen as an ongoing journey that starts with giving the adults what they need. This is evident in the mindfulness strategies being implemented for adults, with the aim of making them effective models and stewards for students. Downers Grove South High School, for example, has a counselor who specializes in mindfulness practices visiting classrooms and holding Mindfulness Monday every week for all teachers and staff.
Downers Grove South High School also offers a mindfulness club for students and provides a free subscription to Insight Timer, an app designed to support mindfulness, to every teacher and staff member. Sara Courington, associate principal for student support services, recommends the app for its offerings of meditations, journaling, breath work, aspirational quotes, yoga, and pre-recorded courses.
The Grizzly Zen Den, established at Grainger Middle School in Indian Prairie School District 204, was created during quarantine to help students manage stress caused by remote learning. It offers a virtual space where students can take a quick break, play a game, or do a mindfulness practice or breathing exercise.
The RAND Corporation's 2022 State of the American Teacher and State of the American Principal (SoP) reports, released in January 2022, paint a picture of the challenges faced by educators. The reports reveal that 73% of teachers and 85% of principals reported experiencing frequent job-related stress, compared to 35% of the general population of working adults. Moreover, 28% of teachers and 28% of principals reported symptoms of depression, compared to 17% of other working adults.
In an effort to address these issues, Downers Grove South High School hosted an offsite retreat focused on student voice, with the aim of understanding students, making better connections, and improving instruction and curriculum. The retreat saw the participation of 100 students.
However, the district does not mention any specific facts about the prevalence of stress or mental health issues among teachers and principals, unlike the earlier bullet points.
Glenbrook High School District 225 is focusing on six pillars: belonging, mindfulness, purpose, optimism, vitality, and identity. Ryan Bretag, director of instructional innovation, explains that belonging links to supportive relationships, collaboration, and community building, while purpose aligns with grit, growth mindset, problem-based learning, and student engagement.
The outdated fitness center at Glenbrook South was transformed into a beautiful, open space with equipment that can be moved around every day for a variety of setups. Moreover, the physical education department made efforts to ensure the space is inclusive, with barbells that aren't designed just for male hands and plates that are the same color and size to avoid comparisons.
In a world where stress and mental health issues are increasingly prevalent among educators, these Illinois schools are setting an example by prioritizing the wellbeing of their staff and students. The articles '4 Ways to Create Virtual Healing Spaces in Education' and '5 Ways Teachers Can Support Student Healing and Restoration' by Monica Martinez and Kristina J. Doubet provide further insights into these strategies.
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