Highlands superintendent makes staff health, wellness a priority

Highlands teachers will be pampered Friday with yoga sessions, gourmet coffee and some love from four-legged friends.

A Health and Wellness program spearheaded by Superintendent Monique Mawhinney is meant to uplift spirits and refresh well-being.

The program is built into a professional development day. There are no classes for students Friday.

“I think there is a perception outside the education field that being a teacher is an easy job because they have summers off,” Mawhinney said. “As a former teacher, I can assure you this statement is false.

“Teachers work just as hard, if not harder in nine months, than do some who hold 12-month positions. They have a great deal of responsibility in not only providing an education to the students, but at times, might also have to act as the child’s parent and therapist.”

The lingering pandemic only added to the pressure, she said.

While schools across the region are rightfully committed to the social and emotional health of students, it’s equally important to ensure the staff’s mental health and well-being is supported, Mawhinney said.

Therapy dogs meant to soothe and refresh the staff will be a highlight of the agenda.

“It is amazing how animals can bring comfort to people of all ages,” Mawhinney said.

“Highlands frequently brings in therapy dogs for our students to enjoy so I thought, ‘Why not do the same thing for the adults?”

Grey, a faculty favorite among the dogs that visit the high school, will be available along with the other mood-enhancing activities.

Faculty can carve out time at the end of the day to practice calming yoga, receive a massage and enjoy coffee from Harvest Moon in Tarentum and specialty handcrafted sodas from Natrona Bottling.

School counselor Marilyn Ingoldsby Skwortz touted the visit from therapy dogs as a direct benefit to teachers, both physically and cognitively.

“Interaction with therapy dogs has been shown to reduce blood pressure, provide physical stimulation and assist with pain management,” Skwortz said.

“It has also been empirically proven that therapy dogs stimulate memory and problem-solving skills.”

A visit from Grey and his friends can also serve to promote greater self-esteem and focused interaction with other students and teachers, the counselor said.

“Teachers are an essential component to the campus culture and climate,” Skwortz said. “They are the most influential factor of student success and well-being, and it is imperative that teacher health and well-being are a priority.”