Witnessing a family member fall into the grips of addiction is nightmarish for anyone, but it is especially damaging for a child or teen, whose sense of security is lost as their world is turned upside down. Educators are often among the first to respond, providing those students with everything from food and clothing to emotional support and encouragement.
In places where the opioid crisis is acutely felt—such as the foothills of Appalachia in West Virginia and Ohio, where our reporter traveled— educators are losing sleep, but they refuse to lose hope. Find out what these everyday heroes are shouldering in the classroom and in their communities.
NEA Today is committed to covering the impact of the opioid crisis— which continues to worsen and spread across the country—on our students and schools, and connect educators with resources that can help. You’ll find those resources, as well as our ongoing coverage here.
If you need a lift, read how NEA members are confronting their own biases and upping their cultural competence at NEA workshops. Related: We asked five educators to make the case for social justice. You’ll be inspired by their responses.
Two features in this issue touch on the promise of the next generation: “This is Not Fake News,” about the comeback of student journalism, and “#MeToo at School,” about student-led efforts to stop sexual harassment and assault at school.
As tough and even insurmountable as some of these issues seem—drugs, institutional racism, harassment and assault—seeing how your colleagues and their students are taking a run at them will give you good reason to feel hopeful and resolute. And that’s a great way to start a new year.
