As we begin welcoming students back to school in the coming weeks, we know educators have many questions about the year ahead. The following is a letter from Lauren Tarshis, SVP, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher, Scholastic Magazines+, published on August 4, 2021, that shares insights and practical tips from Dr. Linda Mayes, Director of the Yale Child Study Center, as well as free articles from Scholastic Magazines+. Follow Lauren on Twitter at @laurenTarshis.
Dear teachers,
We at Scholastic have always celebrated back-to-school as a time of excitement and fresh starts. And this year feels especially momentous. Despite lingering uncertainty, we’re not only getting back to school but also seeing school communities coming together once again.
We know you may be feeling a mix of emotions this year, and likely some worries too as Covid-19 persists. So many of you have shared questions with us about the pandemic's impact on your students’ well-being and their ability to learn, to forge friendships, and to connect with you. How can you best prepare to make this back-to-school welcoming, safe, and supportive?
These are such big and important questions. And luckily, we can turn to Dr. Linda Mayes for some answers. The director of the Yale Child Study Center, Dr. Mayes is a passionate advocate for children, families, and teachers. She's shared with us some keen insights into how the pandemic has impacted kids—and what this will mean for you and your classroom community.
“Teachers aren’t therapists or social workers and needn’t feel that they should play those roles,” Dr. Mayes says. “But having some awareness of what to expect from the children in your class and from yourself will help you feel more prepared and at ease as you and your students come back together.”
We at Scholastic feel so grateful to be partnering with Dr. Mayes and her colleagues at the Yale Child Study Center, and to be able to bring you their expert and compassionate perspective. Below are highlights from a series of conversations we had with Dr. Mayes. We hope her insights and practical advice will help you feel more confident and inspired as you begin this momentous year.
Click here to view back-to-school insights and practical advice from Dr. Linda Mayes, Director of the Yale Child Study Center, as well as free articles from Scholastic Magazines+.
—Lauren Tarshis
Editor-in-Chief of Scholastic Magazines+
Author of the I Survived book series
