A room for teachers to get some R&R: R.E. Davis College Prep Academy adds an employee wellness room
The focus on the social and emotional well-being of students has been expanded in K-12 education during the pandemic, but what about addressing those similar needs in teachers and staff?
R.E. Davis College Preparatory Academy's leadership team has taken a step in that direction recently with the creation of an employee wellness room, and many of the school's 65 or so staff are now feeling the good vibes with the addition.
Zach Lowe, the school's curriculum coach, was one of the facilitators of the idea after he did a summer internship with cable TV network C-SPAN a couple years ago. Lowe said he was blown away by the network's employee lounge - which was a great space for employees to relax - and he's learned the concept is somewhat common in the corporate world.
A schoolteachers' lounge doesn't provide quite the same ambiance, he added, with its hard furniture and vending machines, and they are often considered "working lounges."
Most understand that classroom teachers have faced the tall challenge of simultaneously teaching virtually and in person in the COVID-19 era, but Lowe said all schools' employees have encountered increased responsibilities and stressors amid the pandemic.
Bus drivers are driving extra routes and ensuring students are wearing masks. Cafeteria workers are constantly delivering meals to classrooms, and front office personnel are fielding phone calls all hours of the day, he added.
Lowe said school leaders wanted to create a separate place for self-care at the school that was away from the stressors of the job. A place to relax, reflect and rejuvenate, he added.
To venture out for financial donations and contributions for the wellness room, Lowe initially contacted the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce for advice and soon had three corporate sponsors in Nu-Idea School Supply, Continental Tire the Americas and CA Harler Trophy Shop, he said.
Next, he wrote a grant to the Sumter County Cultural Commission to pay a photographer to provide print artwork that pays tribute to the rich history of the actual school zone in eastern Sumter County to include scenes from Mayesville, St. John, Lynchburg and other sites. R.E. Davis' campus was actually formerly an equalization school in Sumter County, known as Eastern High School, he added.
After some additional emails and social media posts, Lowe had about 30 different individuals/organizations that made financial donations and some other room contributors.
With the funds, the school leadership team repurposed the room with cushioned furniture (from Habitat for Humanity ReStore) and decorations, painted an accent wall and moved an aquarium from another part of the campus to the new wellness room.
Other amenities include massagers of all types for feet, neck, back and full-body massages, white-noise machine, salt lamps, a commercial-grade Keurig and unlimited coffee bar for all staff, snacks and a mini-convection oven.
Next expenditures will be for some Yoga equipment and free weights for teachers/staff to do some light exercise while relaxing in the room, Lowe said. The school would appreciate additional donations to purchase more items and keep the room sustainable, he added.
Reception among teachers and staff to date has been well, he added, but this year has been such a stressful one that a few teachers keep forgetting the team put together the room for them.
"We're trying to make this kind of cultural shift that you need to take care of yourself at some point throughout the day," Lowe said. "Teaching, in particular, is a profession where the kids feed off your energy, so we need to present our best versions of ourselves."
School leaders have been so intentional with the room's rollout that they ask staff to think on what they plan to say before entering in order to keep the vibes positive and proactive, he added.
In his research, Lowe said, he has seen wellness rooms throughout the corporate sector, but he has never seen one before in a school.
According to Lowe, district Superintendent Penelope Martin-Knox has visited the Employee Wellness Room, was impressed and took the idea back to district administration. Lowe said he hopes the idea is replicated across the district.
School media specialist Jessica Flowers said the addition from school leadership is really nice and thoughtful.
"I really appreciate it," she said. "I like that the room is quiet, and it is a calming and inviting space."