Recent floods in South Carolina bring into question the continuing of education after a natural disaster. How does one carry on with teaching and instruction in the midst of recovering from a natural disaster? South Carolina, while the most recent, is not alone in this struggle. We’ve either read about, or experienced, blizzards in the Northeast, tornadoes in the Midwest, and fires in California, just to name a few. Schools may close for a few days - or even weeks - but they will eventually reopen and teachers and students must get back to work in the classroom.
An edutopia article, posted after 2012’s Hurricane Sandy pounded the Northeast, discusses the importance of equipping students with Social/Emotional Learning (SEL) skills. Students and teachers may be dealing with “awaiting the return of power, finding gasoline, wondering how to get to and from work [or school], worrying about parents and other family members who are stranded, dealing with displacement of a temporary or permanent nature, or some combination of these.”
Teachers and students both will come back to school after possibly suffering traumatic and devastating loss and destruction of personal property. The National Association for School Psychologists (NASP) has published Responding to Natural Disasters: Helping Children and Families: Information for School Crisis Teams, to assist teachers, students, and families. This informative article gives specific information for dealing with issues resulting from hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods. Additionally, this publication provides information for School Crisis Teams, including the following points:
- Identify children and youth who are high risk and plan interventions
- Support teachers and other school staff
- Engage in post-disaster activities that facilitate healing
- Emphasize children’s resiliency
- Support all members of the crisis response team
- Secure additional mental health support
Matt Davis, freelance writer for edutopia, makes the following statement in his article, Responding to Tragedy: Resources for Educators, “When tragic events happen, it can be difficult for educators, administrators, and parents to know how to help children understand and cope. How adults manage their own reactions, as well as how they help students deal with their questions and feelings, are important factors in providing children with the support and guidance they will need. “ You can find additional resources in this article.
School and education will continue. Teachers will continue to support and guide students. We will move forward and continue to encourage one another one day at a time.
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