Every teacher I speak to who ends up breaking down in tears thinks that they are the “only one” feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, unable to do everything they think they should be doing. If you feel like you are drowning right now in #OntEd... please know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Education workers put on a happy face and push through the fear, the pain, the anxiety, and the overwhelm. We suck it up and smile for the kids. We do such a good job of masking that it can be easy to mistake for genuine well-being... but many education workers are NOT okay.

I start the conversation with “how are things going?” followed by “how are things really going?”... because every time I ask the second question I get the truth. That there is too much happening too fast. That the learning curve is steep. That folks are hanging on by a thread.

This is not a normal school year. Education workers have the weight of the world on their shoulders as they try to keep kids and themselves safe and also try to meet the social-emotional and academic needs of their students, while using new tech tools and a new math curriculum.

They are the first responders for student mental health and physical health, while also somehow delivering equity and inclusion and character education initiatives, and running food and clothing programs for families in need. Oh, and also teaching actual curriculum.

Education workers do this while caring for their own young children or aging parents, worrying about their own health and the health of vulnerable family members. They do this with a smile on their faces because they love our kids and want them to be happy and successful.

While smiling on the outside for parents and students to see, on the inside many of them are slowly dying. And we can’t let this become the norm. I don’t have all of the answers, but I know that telling Education workers to engage in more self-care is simply not enough.

If you have a child in school, please take a moment to reach out to the staff at your child’s school. Remind them that you recognize how hard they are working. Remind them that they are loved and so valuable in your child’s life. Please be patient with them. Kindness is free.