Practice Brief

Self-Care Strategies for Educators During the Coronavirus Crisis: Supporting Personal Social and Emotional Well-Being

Christina Pate
May 2020 | WestEd

This guide from WestEd explains the ways that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the well-being of teachers as they continued to educate students in a virtual space. According to the guide, self-care—defined as observing a person’s needs and acting on those needs to preserve mental and physical health—is crucial. The guide encourages educators to reflect on their workloads, be realistic about their goals, practice self-awareness, and shift the focus from academics to fostering positive relationships with students and coworkers. It also asks educators to consider how they connect to others in person and whether aspects of those sensations and feelings can translate to a virtual space.