In today’s episode, Troy and Jeremy welcome listeners to a discussion close to their hearts - the vital topic of supporting school employees, the educators and staff responsible for shaping young minds.

Their special guest is Lindsay Waechter, the Staff Wellness Coordinator for Iowa's fast growing Waukee School District, who shares the innovative work being done for the district's nearly 2,500 employees. Lindsay vividly explains the challenges and successes of prioritizing staff wellbeing.

Troy and Jeremy learn how investing in school staff is not just beneficial, but essential. Lindsay explains how Waukee recognized this necessity, leading to the creation of her dedicated role to address the specific wellbeing challenges facing educators and support staff today. She details the district's shift from a standard, one size fits all wellness program to a more personalized, adaptable approach through Navigate. This strategy focuses on meeting employees where they are, addressing issues from teacher burnout and custodian back pain to mental health needs and connecting staff with local resources, all while supporting staff retention.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Why Teacher Wellbeing Is Key to Student Success

01:17 - Staff Wellness as a Retention and Recruitment Tool

03:15 - Building Wellness Programs for a Rapidly Growing District

05:17 - Getting Leadership Buy-In for Wellbeing Initiatives

06:37 - How Personalization Boosts Engagement and Outcomes

10:10 - Addressing Mental Health and Burnout in Education

13:09 - On-Demand Resources and Coaching for Staff

14:34 - Prioritizing Women’s Health in School Wellness

16:24 - Using Committees and Data to Shape Wellness Strategy

22:55 - Extending Wellness Support Year-Round

25:20 - Making Wellness Inclusive for All School Roles

29:31 - Collaborating with Nurses to Support Whole-School Health

30:45 - Vest Day Ever

Key Takeaways:

"We need our teachers to be happy and well. They shape our future."

"Moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach prioritizes the health of educators."

"Innovation in education is crucial. It's not just about the environment, but being innovative across the board."

"We want educators to live healthy and well lives into retirement."

"The pressures of educators are immense. Work-life balance and burnout are key issues."

"Personalized programs lead to better engagement and health outcomes."

"Mental health resources must address stigma and provide support for high stress."

"Teaching is hard and getting harder. We prioritize health to support our educators."

"Data-driven decisions in wellbeing programs help allocate resources effectively."

"Reaching diverse audiences requires tailored solutions for different work roles."