The work of youth education is challenging for staff and students during this unique time. Last year, Northwest Outward Bound School (NWOBS) staff asked us to invest in staff wellness and burnout, and we are listening. This year, NWOBS is partnering with Healing Schools Project (HSP) in an effort to transform our culture and orient ourselves toward a culture of healing and well-being. Our HSP team will be coaching our Program Administrators and members of the Beloved Crew (our diversity, equity, and inclusion committee) on skills to build and maintain wellness and on practical ways to integrate healing and wellness in supervision, base camp culture, and on course.
HSP was created by educator Wenimo Okoya early in the pandemic to address high burnout rates amongst educators of color. Their program has been effective in increasing a sense of well-being for all staff and in various educational settings including work with New York Outward Bound School.
“At Healing Schools Project we provide an equity-focused, healing centered solutions for teacher turnover issues. We bring together research and practice to address the problem at the root: shifting school culture and bringing healing to educators.”
– Healing Schools Project
Offering HSP Healing Circles for all staff was not feasible this year so we are engaging with HSP to work with members of our Beloved Crew and program administration. Our primary goal will be transferring learning to our broader community at base camps and beyond.