From The Executive

In ThIs Issue

Emotional well-being is essential to a healthy life – and especially critical during times of crisis.

As the pandemic wears on, it upends so many of the new session of the General Assembly getting under way, activities and practices that help us maintain emotional, you’ll learn more about how the legislative task force physical, and spiritual balance. This issue of PAGE One developed the PAGE priorities for this session, what the addresses the many ways you are taking care of yourself PAGE lobbying team has accomplished over the last and others as we all learn new ways of doing work, few years, how the legislative process works, and how connecting with students and peers, and finding ways to your voice matters on critical issues for educators and stay positive and hopeful. public education. And, in an example of how educator The culture and practice of education are based on PAGE president shares a story of success for a student relationships, demonstrations, face-to-face interaction, who needed someone in his corner. and reaction to the dynamics of learning moments. All of those foundational elements are hampered with social Finally, we encourage you to apply for a 2021 PAGE distancing, faces and expressions covered by masks, and scholarship or educator grant. These awards provide virtual learning. On top of that, new ways of work take funds to assist with career advancement, professional more time for planning and, for some, more time for development, and resources for you, your team, or instruction as they juggle in-person and virtual classes. your school. Check out the member opportunity pages In our feature story, educators from throughout Georgia for application details and insight from a few 2020 describe how they cultivate calm inside and outside the recipients as to how they’ve utilized these awards. classroom and the strategies they’ve developed to lessen the sense of isolation from students and peers. Thanks for all you do every day to take care of yourself, One of the key coping strategies to battle stress, anxiety, and isolation is busying your mind and hands with something else. Renewed interest — or new interest — in hobbies provides comfort for many. In Peaceful Pursuits, educators share many of the creative ways they’re discovering to get through this difficult time. Craig Harper Advocacy plays a role in making things better for you, Executive Director for students, and for public education. In the legal column, you’ll find guidance on how to approach individual issues with workplace concerns. And, with a advocacy makes a positive difference for students, our each other, and your students.