Are Advisory Programs the Solution

Evan Robb Retired Principal, Head of Upper School, Powhatan School

 

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Evan Robb has over twenty years of experience serving as a building-level principal. Prior to being a school principal, he was an English teacher, department chair, and Assistant Principal. Evan is a recipient of the Horace Mann Educator of the Year Award. In addition, the NCTE Commission on Reading selected him to serve on its national board.

 

A TEDx Speaker, Evan offers inspirational keynotes, workshops, webinars, and ongoing professional learning opportunities on leadership, mindset, culture, impactful change, and how to improve literacy in schools. Evan has shared his ideas with thousands of educators at dozens of workshops across the United States and in other countries.

 

His first book titled, The Principal’s Leadership Sourcebook: Practices, Tools, and Strategies for Building a Thriving School Community was published by Scholastic in the fall of 2007. His next book, The Ten-Minute Principal, was published by Corwin in May 2019. Evan and Laura Robb collaborated with Dave Burgess Publishing to write, Team Makers, which was published in August of 2019. In addition, Evan partnered with Laura Robb to write, A School Full of Readers, with Benchmark Education, which was published in January 2020. Evan’s newest book with Corwin, Aiming High: Leadership Actions to Increase Learning Gains, was published in February 2022.

What is the most challenging mental health issue in your school or district right now?: Student relationships the shifts staff need to make to provide student supports outside of core content.

 

How is mental health currently addressed in your school(s), and what are the limitations?: A team effort of staff- counselors- parents- an advisory period and responsive classroom training.

“Improving mental health in schools is crucial to ensuring the overall well-being and success of students. “

 

• Creating a positive school culture: A positive and inclusive school culture is essential for promoting good mental health among students. This can be achieved by fostering a sense of belonging, respect, and acceptance for all students.
• Providing mental health resources: Schools should provide a range of mental health resources, including counseling services, mental health screenings, and access to mental health professionals. This can help identify students who may be struggling with mental health issues and provide them with the support they need.
• Implementing mental health education: Mental health education can help students understand the importance of mental health and develop the skills they need to manage their own mental health. This can include teaching coping strategies, stress management techniques, and promoting healthy habits such as exercise and mindfulness.
• Addressing stigma: Addressing mental health stigma is an important step in improving mental health in schools. This can be done by promoting open and honest discussions about mental health, and by creating a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable seeking help.
• Encouraging parental involvement: Schools should encourage parents to get involved in their child's mental health by providing information about mental health resources and encouraging them to talk openly with their children about mental health.
• Providing support for teachers: Teachers can play a critical role in promoting good mental health among students.