Key Takeaways
- Washington educator Moore says the leaders we elect this fall must address student mental health.
- American Rescue Plan funds helped her district hire additional school counselors, psychologists, and social workers, and provide training for educators on social and emotional learning.
Shawna's Story
Like every other state across the country, Washington saw students’ mental health needs grow exponentially during the pandemic.
“It forced us, as a district and as an entire state, to ask what social-emotional support should really look like,” says Shawna Moore, the dean of student success at the Puget Sound Skills Center, in SeaTac, Wash.
Districts used some of the state’s $1.85 billion in funding from the American Rescue Plan for education to hire additional school counselors, psychologists, and social workers, and to provide training for educators on social and emotional learning.
Those resources also helped kick-start critical conversations about race and equity—key factors impacting students’ mental health.
It takes resources to make sure that every one of our students is seen and heard and valued.
The Washington Education Association was at the forefront of this work, supporting its locals with tools and resources to engage with administrators.
“When you talk about addressing student needs, you have to step back and look at everything,” Moore says. “If we have an inclusion policy, but kids aren’t feeling included, then what are we doing? If we have an anti-discrimination policy, but students are facing some kind of discrimination, what are we doing?”
As vice president of the Highline Education Association, Moore helped establish the Highline Equity and Anti-Racist Team, which brings together union members and administrators to examine how every practice affects students. The district also helped each school create its own equity team.
Electing leaders who will continue to invest in public schools is critical to improve student mental health and well-being, says Moore.
“It takes resources to make sure that every one of our students is seen and heard and valued. That’s huge.”
