Message from President Cordelia Anthony
Dear Members,
I look up and realize that next week is our Winter break. I want to start this message off by saying that I hope that you are looking forward to having some time away from work. Make the most of it. A break always seems like a time when I try to promise myself that I’ll get so much done, but please try not to overschedule yourself and whether you are staying local or traveling just give yourself time. Although many of us have called this school year ‘a normal” year I have heard many of us sharing a feeling of exhaustion as we try to help our students be successful. We are pivoting, changing our styles, seeking new methods, trying new management techniques all in an effort to get students back on track with meeting high expectations. At the same time when we make the attempts to do this we also put very high expectations on ourselves. This can lead to added stress and a feeling of failure if we don’t think we are meeting the needs of all our kids. Just keep in mind that we can motivate, differentiate and offer support but we can’t fix it all. I will always warn you to look out for signs of teacher burnout before it happens. These may include physical symptoms like stomach aches, heart palpitations, headaches, and shortness of breath. NYSUT has a free Peer Support line for members created in partnership with Rutgers University Behavioral Health. This confidential helpline can give you empathetic support, provide answers, referrals when you need it. Call toll-free 844-444-0152. You may also send a secure message to https://nationalpeersupport.com/peersupportline/
I also want to bring attention to Black History Month celebrations this month. The REAL HARMONY club at our high school will have their annual program on February 28th at 6p. I encourage all faculty and staff to attend and support. I have been to all of them and each year the talent, creativity, and awareness of the students continues to inform and surprise me. The FFT Civil and Human Rights committee always shares information about why it’s so important to highlight underrepresented and marginalized people. We share information, lessons, and just educate during the diversity and inclusion celebrations of those groups.
Peer Support Line- New NYSUT Benefit
This is a free, new service available to NYSUT members through NYSUT member benefits. It's a confidential helpline for answers, referrals and support. Learn more: nysut.cc/mbpeersupportline
