Last month Mercy University’s School of Education welcomed a panel of educational experts from New York City metropolitan area to host the Voices from the Field to discuss an important issue in schools.
Educators, principals and administrators in the New York City school district were in attendance for this event. The event focused on the discussion about one of the most ongoing issues in schools today which is mental health and well-being that has risen since the pandemic. Mental health is a cause that enables a person to cope with stress, affects learning abilities, difficult to concentrate, and contribute to the community. The issue comes from a wide range combination of genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors that anyone will face.
The panel and participants voiced their opinions on how mental health is the most common issues in schools today, what interventions exist in communities and what schools and colleges can do to partner most effectively to address this serious challenge. The common theme was to address the issue to be resolved in schools for students, administrators, and teachers to make the learning environment healthy.
The event set up an ultimate plan to establish well-being in education during the ongoing process that requires collaboration from higher education institutions, school districts and families. Well-being is important in education to provide advantages for students in work, health and relationship to make a better change.
Dr. Nitecki, Professor in Childhood Education who ran the event found the cause of mental health be importantly addressed even during and after the pandemic.
“We think it is very critical and needed at this time, especially due to social challenges and developmental delays in socialization post-pandemic,” said Nitecki.
Since the pandemic hit in 2020, a steady decline of mental well-being has been observed as an onset to challenges that have become significant for humans. The importance of open discussions and collaborative efforts to find effective strategies will support both pre-service and service teachers along with P-12 student population.
The overall takeaway from the event is that no one is alone when facing these challenges and it is important to build conversations along with shared resources. Open dialogue and the creation of safe spaces are essential to remain a priority for people to ensure support rather than isolation through the rough times.
The co-sponsors of the event, BranchED and GRAD-PRO Grant, who have great connections with Mercy were available to promote great ideas and opportunities at the event. BranchED is a three-year grant awarded to the School of Education that evaluates programs to prepare teachers for educational landscape. GRAD-PRO is a five-year grant awarded to Mercy University for graduate students to develop into professional leaders in the field of study.
Nitecki who is also the project director for GRAD-PRO Grant has worked with the grant to aim well-being as a common focus for coursework and education in the program.
“Through our grant initiatives, we aim to embed the principles of social-emotional learning across our coursework and programs to ensure that well-being is a central focus in preparing educators and supporting students,” said Nitecki.
School of Education conducted a previous conversation on this topic back in April 2024 for symposium that had around 60 school district partners in attendance. The theme has continued to focus on the need of assessment and well-being to be provide in schools for better education.
To learn more or get involved with the program, we encourage interested individuals to reach out to the School of Education for further details and opportunities at https://www.mercy.edu/academics/school-education.
