Research and practice show that addressing well-being — for both young people and educators — is foundational to teaching, learning, and thriving. Van Ness Elementary attends to the well-being needs of its community — including students, educators, and parents — by engaging the support of a licensed clinical mental health professional. What’s especially unique about this approach is that every educator at school has confidential, free access to a therapist available to them during school hours.
Resources to Share
- Self-Care Strategies for Educators During the Coronavirus Crisis
This WestEd brief builds on a growing research base about self-care, with guidance on healthy mindsets and behaviors, healthy boundaries and interactions, and more to help educators attend to self-care so that they, in turn, can most effectively continue to educate and support those who depend on them.
- Community-Care Strategies for Schools During the Coronavirus Crisis
This WestEd brief offers practical guidance for educators and school leaders to help them care for their school communities and maintain a sense of connectedness and well-being while coping with the stresses of social isolation, school closures, and changes to how services are provided.
By the Numbers
Van Ness Elementary School
| Location | District of Columbia Public Schools, Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|
| Number of Students | 325 |
| Student Demographics |
|
| Geographic Setting | Urban |
| Grades Served | Pre-K - 5 |
| School Model | Traditional Public School |
| Conditions for Equitable Learning & Development | Personal, Learning Environment, System |
*Student Demographic data sourced from profiles.dcps.dc.gov and nces.ed.gov. NCES lists Latinx as “Hispanic” and Native American as “American Indian.”