Supporting Teacher Wellness at the Macro and Micro Level

Unprecedented. Changed. Difficult. Exhausting. These are all words we might use to describe teaching in the years subsequent to the initial COVID shut-down. The role of the teacher has come under intense scrutiny, while the expectations in and out of the classroom continue to increase. In my role as a school leader, I may not be able to decrease expectations or regulations set by the state, but I can look at ways to support teacher wellness. When I consider ways to support teacher wellness, I imagine two categories: macro and micro. If this brings you back to college economics, have no fear- this is an entirely different perspective.

An example of supporting teachers from a MACRO perspective would be something long term or something that has a lasting effect. Macro supports often involve strategic planning and a commitment from school leadership. A MICRO support would be short term or more frequent. Micro supports can come from any member of the school community, and can usually be implemented easily and quickly, with little to no cost. Below are examples of Macro and Micro supports that I’ve used in my district, observed in other districts, or that have been proposed by colleagues.

Micro-

jeans days, food trucks, lunch sponsored by local business, coffee cart, scheduled class or duty coverage, spa gift cards, therapy animals on campus, fulfillment of Amazon wish lists, spirit days, staff outings, etc.

Macro-

schedule adjustments to increase plan time, calendar adjustments to increase non-pupil days, mental health services for staff, on-site daycare or petcare, transportation/housing allowances, increased pay, additional support staff, amplified voices in decision making at the local, state, and legislative level, decreased focus on standardized testing, etc.

Whether it’s micro or macro, what supports would you add to this list?