How do we fix it?
I have had a million and one thoughts racing through my head over the past 24 hours. I learned yesterday that a former student of mine committed suicide on Thursday. His birthday would've been today. I can't even begin to imagine what his family is going through and I am seeing my other former students, his friends, processing this whole awful situation. It has got me reflecting on how we got to this point. This is the second teen that I've known this year that has taken his own life. That is two too many. I never want my students, my friend's children or my own daughter to feel so helpless that they think ending their existence is the only way out. I originally became a teacher because I wanted to help students and make a difference in the world. I am beginning to notice more and more that we are so focused on data, statistics and results that we neglect the mental and emotional well-being of our students. They are bombarded daily with social media, instant access ...