CMS Employees

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools All Employees

Teachers and other CMS employees experienced increased stress during the pandemic as they worked to meet the needs of our children.

The Rand Corporation 2021 State of the U.S. Teacher Survey found that:

One in four teachers planned to leave the profession in the near future
A much higher percentage of teachers reported frequent job-related stress and symptoms of depression than the general adult population.
Teaching during the pandemic resulted in more job-related stress, depressive symptoms, and burnout.

When teachers are this stressed, school administrators, support staff, cafeteria workers, and custodial staff also feel the ripple effects.

CMS teachers and other personnel marshalled their patience, creativity, and endurance to provide effective learning and socio-emotional care to our kids under often kaleidoscopically changing school conditions. Presby Psych is giving back. Although the pandemic is waning, individuals involved in the educational system may experience stress-related symptoms and emotions for a long time.

Presby Psych offers free and financially assisted psychotherapy to all CMS employees. As a trauma-informed organization, we are sensitive to stress-related disorders and are able to listen to distressing stories without fear or excessive curiosity.

Who we see

All CMS employees

Administrators
Bus drivers
Cafeteria workers
Custodians
Support staff
Teachers

Sources of pandemic stress:

Adapting to required public health policies while attending to children and parents who also were stressed out
Creating new ways to teach and support kids
Fear of contracting COVID-19 or bringing it home to loved ones
Illness and death of family members, colleagues, friends
Personal isolation from family and friends
Increasing resignations of colleagues
Higher incidents of acting out – including violence – or serious withdrawal by students
Concerns about the ability of kids to learn under new conditions
Recurring uncertainty about CMS leadership as another superintendent resigned

Mental health reactions to COVID-19

Anxiety
Burn out
Decreased interest in sex
Depression
Difficulty concentrating
Emotional numbness
Exaggerated guilt or shame
Exaggerated startle response
Hopelessness about the future
Increased alcohol, drug or food consumption
Irritability, angry outbursts, aggressive behavior
Isolating
Lack of interest in activities that used to provide pleasure
Loss of interest in work
Negative thoughts about people, medicine, society
Nightmares, recurring dreams, flashbacks
Physical symptoms
Reckless or aggressive behavior
Reliving in memory job-related traumatic incidents or events
Sleep disturbances
Suicidal thoughts or intent

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