Backtalk: Managing COVID-19 anxiety

Abstract

As school buildings have reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers have been understandably anxious about their own health, and that of their students. But should students know how worried their teachers are? Todd Pittinsky suggests that teachers avoid shielding students from knowledge of the risks of exposure while also being thoughtful in their teaching approaches and managing their own anxiety to serve as role models. He also encourages teachers and administrators to share helpful practices for reducing anxiety.