As COVID-19 emerged, we in the Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program<\/a> at Michigan State University heard from graduate-level learners teaching from K-12 through higher ed: Educators needed support as they tried to navigate the unknown\u2014professionally and personally. We\u2019ve been able to connect with educators in many different contexts, countries, and cities throughout the rapid transition to remote teaching and during further transitions required in the 2020 – 2021 school year. Two things we know: educators are burnt out and teaching continues to be de-professionalized. What had previously been quick emails or 30-minute advising sessions with our adult learners became 1-hour to an-hour-and-a-half video chats. Our strong connection to our students allowed for this intimate sharing to occur and it sparked the creation of a variety of resources to support educators around the world<\/a> as COVID-19 spread. When we reflect on the future of wellness practices that we learned through this experience<\/a> (and are still practicing), our key takeaways for supporting educators are to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
• Schedule time realistically <\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Be present as a listener<\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Validate concerns, worries, fears, and frustrations that are shared<\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Follow-up with check-ins, resources, or strategies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

  \n