Whether you're a teacher, a bus driver, a school counselor, nurse or custodian, the goal of a school district is ensuring each student has the tools to be successful. Working in education, job number one is making sure all children are supported, both academically and personally. Here at Maine-Endwell, we believe supporting the mental health and well-being of our teachers and staff is just as important. Through the new Employee Support Program, we're taking those steps.
Just as health insurance addresses your physical health, our Employee Assistance Program helps support your emotional and mental well-being. Our EAP benefits also include much more than just help for problems. We have a host of benefits and opportunities to help you grow professionally, save money, improve your health and enhance your personal life.
Mike Aubel, Director of Human Resources and Transportation helped spearhead the EAP program last year.
"I think the formal EAP is nice because it's geared toward people who work in schools and there are opportunities for everybody to have trusted individuals who are willing to listen," said Aubel.
Along with our EAP Program, we're also excited to offer a Peer Support Program, lead by middle school SRO Jody Kennedy. Our Peer Support Program is a confidential resource for district employees to help you through difficult times that you may be experiencing both personally or professionally. There are currently eight trained peers across our four buildings. Each peer took part in a two-day International Critical Incident Stress Foundation training, titled "assisting individuals in crisis."
"We wanted the peers to have the tools to be able to do this, and do it comfortably so it will work," said Kennedy.
Our "peers" are not counselors, but are fellow employees who have volunteered to help support co-workers in times of need. Kennedy, who previously worked for the Johnson City Police Department, is also an executive member of the New York Law Enforcement Assistance Program. (NYLEAP) He remembers the value a peer support system brought to law enforcement, and felt a school district could also benefit.
"No matter what happens in these teachers' personal lives, or what's happening to them professionally, when they come to work, they have to put a smile on their face for the kids. They still have a job to do, and sometimes that's not easy," said Kennedy.
The Peer Support Program was launched in April and is supported by "peer mentors" Amanda Bowen, Matt Simek and Dave Fish. Kristin Foran, a 25-year teaching veteran at Maine Memorial, and one of the peer volunteers says this is something all educators can benefit from.
"I think for us, we're so used to taking care of other people, but it's harder to take care of ourselves. We're good at just pushing on and taking care of everyone else. It's wonderful that it's there. I'm glad the district took the initiative and saw the need for people's mental health to be a priority," said Foran.
The benefits of the formal EAP apply to district employees and their families, coming at no cost.