TEACHER ADVISOR

MANAGING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

By Joe Pece

The health threat posed by COVID-19, and the social and economic consequences of the distancing and isolation measures, are taking their toll on everyone. In addition to grappling with the broader societal impacts, teachers are also caring for family members who have fallen ill or lost their jobs, managing children who are out of school, and helping friends and neighbours who need assistance, all while trying to guide students and their families through the emergency distance learning program. And you are trying to do it while dealing with another significant change in your life: working from home!

Here are a few easily implemented strategies to help manage anxiety during this difficult time.

Work/life balance – Just because you are at home does not mean you should be expected to respond to emails or other communication at all hours. This includes communication from your school administration. You should react and respond to these communications just as you would if schools were still open: during the regular workday, when you are not engaged in teaching or planning duties.

Create a routine – While much is beyond your control at present, you can bring some predictability and familiarity to your life by creating routines for yourself and your family. Create a schedule of what you will work on and when, and do your best to stick to it. Make sure to include breaks. Do not overschedule – be flexible and realistic about what you can accomplish given the many competing demands on your time.

Manage your media intake – Being at home may lead to increased consumption of media – checking social media feeds frequently throughout the day and keeping the television or radio news playing in the background. This increased consumption of news can lead to increased anxiety. While it is important to stay informed, consider scheduling media time into your day to ensure you are regulating your exposure.

Advocate for your needs – Monitor your mood and energy levels throughout the day and determine if there is something that would help you to feel better. If you are craving more social interaction, schedule calls with friends and family. If you are the kind of person who is used to having time to yourself, schedule alone time or go for a walk. If you are used to getting regular exercise, do what you can to schedule even a few minutes a day to stretch and move your body.

Maintain good habits – While social media is full of jokes and memes about people binge-eating and drinking to manage stress, it is important that these not become your new normal. Keep up regular healthy habits – stay hydrated, eat regular meals, limit alcohol consumption, and get some exercise and fresh air. Also, consider adding some other healthy habits, like a gratitude practice or meditation.

Be reasonable – These are extraordinary times that require flexibility and understanding. Be reasonable with how much you can accomplish, and temper expectations of yourself and others. Forgive yourself for not achieving all of your daily goals, or for any heightened emotions you may be experiencing. If you are dealing with increased stress and anxiety during these challenging times, you are encouraged to consult the Counselling and Member Services department publication Managing Stress & Promoting Wellness. You can also take advantage of services offered through the OECTA Benefits plan, such as OTIP’s feelingbetternow.ca platform, or consult your school board’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

COVID-19 Resources Information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, including responses to some frequently asked questions and previous member updates, is available in the Members’ Area of catholicteachers.ca.

Questions about specific situations in your school board should be directed to your local OECTA unit. Broader questions about emergency distance learning can be sent to COVID19@ catholicteachers.ca. We appreciate your patience in awaiting responses to these inquiries.

VIDEO CONFERENCING AND WEBCASTING

While there is no substitute for face-to-face interaction between teachers and students, Catholic teachers are doing what we can to help everyone navigate these extraordinary times. As we adjust to this unique form of emergency distance learning, it is natural that teachers may have questions about best practices and potential pitfalls. One topic that has emerged as a major point of discussion is the use of video conferencing or webcasting.

Err on the side of caution The Association understands that some parents, journalists, and even members may feel that live video or audio lessons or discussions would be beneficial. However, we have urged teachers to exercise caution in deciding whether to use video conferencing and webcasting, as these platforms pose a number of risks that could outweigh any possible benefits.

It is important to remember that at all times, teachers are responsible for the learning environment – even if that learning environment is virtual. Any platform you choose for communication and curriculum delivery must protect everyone’s privacy and equity. Failing to do so has the potential to create issues of professional liability, which could lead to complaints from parents, your employer, and the College of Teachers. In addition, teachers may not have received adequate training on the proper set-up and use of the technology, which can put you at risk of privacy breaches and allegations of inappropriate conduct.

A few of the key challenges that teachers should be aware of include: • Equity issues – not all students, families, or even teachers have sufficient or reliable access to the technology needed to facilitate live online learning, and/or they may not have the flexibility to join a webcast/lesson at the scheduled time. • Privacy issues – it can be very difficult to protect both teachers’ and students’ privacy when using live video or audio. There is no way to control every situation or image that may get overheard or projected. Also, the sessions could be recorded and shared without appropriate permissions, which would violate students’ privacy rights. • Liability issues – video conferencing and webcasting apps and services often share data with third parties, such as Facebook, which are non-compliant with privacy legislation and school board policies. Personal information that is provided to access the platforms may be accessed by others and used for nefarious purposes.

For these reasons, the Association advises using written materials, or pre-recording video or audio messages. By prerecording lessons and following up using email or an online educational forum approved by the school board, teachers are better able to control the learning environment and the information that students are receiving.

Use your professional judgement If you do choose to use video conferencing or webcasting, you are strongly advised to follow these guidelines:

• Make sure your privacy is maintained. If possible, be in a separate room from other family members and avoid having personal items in the background. • Use equipment provided by your school board. Using your personal phone, tablet, or computer can inadvertently expose personal information (banking, health records, etc.). If you cannot ensure your personal privacy, DO NOT USE this platform. • At all times, maintain the utmost professionalism. • Use this tool very sparingly and for specific, intended purposes. It should not be the only method of delivery. • Small group settings are better than large groups. • Please ensure that as the host, you are the only one able to share your screen. • You should always view all participants in the “waiting room” first, before allowing them to enter the conference. • Make sure you lock participants once everyone has joined, in order to avoid unwanted guests. • You should also opt for the advanced precaution of protecting the session with a password.

As always, teachers are to use your professional judgement when selecting tools to engage with students and families. In all your communications, be sure to respect your professional and ethical obligations. All communication with students and families should: • Be undertaken during the regular instructional day. • Be related to student learning or progress. • Use professional tone and language.

There is a great deal of anxiety around what can be accomplished through emergency distance learning. Ensure that you fully understand the tools you are using and take any necessary steps to protect yourself and your students. Working with technologies that are familiar to you will help to alleviate some of that anxiety. Remember that school boards cannot mandate the use of webcasting or video conferencing. If they attempt to do so, contact your local OECTA unit president immediately.

For more information on electronic communications, check out our guides in the For Your Career section at catholicteachers.ca.