Since the pandemic, many companies have focused more on workplace wellness than ever before. As Forbes reported last summer, “The pandemic served as a powerful catalyst, propelling the movement for workplace mental health into the spotlight and companies are experimenting with innovative, exciting programs.” Though Townsend Harris High School is a school, it is also a workplace that employs over 100 adults and it too has been experimenting with wellness programs for its employees.
The initiative, called Wellness Fridays, has been running periodically for over three years. Designed to promote mindfulness, manage stress, and offer multiple options for wellness, the sessions also offer a way for the faculty to work on team building.
“Every school needs to have what’s called a ‘professional learning committee,’” said English teacher Brian Sweeney, who has led the committee of teachers since 2021. “Around three years ago, the professional learning committee at that time came up with this plan. It was a group of teachers from almost every department, and they were talking about things we should do on Fridays and that’s where the idea was proposed,” he said.
Ryan Dunbar, who began working as Interim Acting Assistant Principal of the English Department last week, was another key figure in the development of Wellness Fridays. “The work of a teacher can be incredibly stressful,” Mr. Dunbar said. “There are constant grading deadlines, lesson planning, and the physical toll of standing on your feet all day. This initiative gives teachers a chance to focus on themselves, something we often forget to do when we’re constantly focused on student wellness.”
According to Mr. Dunbar and Mr. Sweeney, teachers on the professional learning committee didn’t want a “one size all approach” where every teacher would have to take part in the same activity all together. Like many of their classrooms, the teachers wanted to offer different options for activities and let the staff sign up based on their interests. Instead of inviting people from outside, the committee decided that they would ask teachers what they wanted to do, and if they wanted to run any specific type of sessions. It turned out that many teachers wanted to offer a wide variety of activities.
What are the offerings? At the most recent session, the options include things like “Walking or Jogging with Mr. Kadamani,” “Zumba with Ms. Loew and Ms. Shen,” “Cooking with Mr. Heitman,” “Mario Mindfulness with Ms. Lipinski,” “Music Mindfulness: bring your own instrument to jam with Mr. Stern and Mr. Heathwood,” “Knitting and Embroidery with Ms. Levine.” Amongst other options, past sessions have also included “Pickleball with Ms. Caiaccia” and “Book Club with Ms. Laverde.”
While Mr. Dunbar has played a significant role in organizing Wellness Fridays, he is quick to acknowledge the collaborative effort that has made the program a success. He credits Mr. Choudhury and Mr. Sweeney for their help in coordinating the logistics and confirming that sessions are properly run. “It’s also the teachers who volunteer to lead these sessions,” Mr. Dunbar added. “They don’t have to do it, but they choose to, and I really appreciate that.”
“Teacher Wellness Fridays offers an opportunity for teachers to engage in activities that increase health benefits like physical, emotional, or mental well-being,” said Science teacher Sarah Loew, who co-leads the popular Zumba session, along with Science teachers Shi Bing Shen and Katherine Cooper. “For me, I’ve always been a Zumba attendee/teacher,” said Ms. Loew. “We do probably like an hour’s worth of Zumba dances and stretches. And we enjoy just being together, having that time to get some rejuvenation and enjoy our school relationships.”
For those who prefer a different pace, Science teacher Adel Kadamani leads a running and walking session, further highlighting how these sessions promote both physical and social benefits. “We’ll go out to the track, and we do three miles,” said Mr. Kadamani. “Those who would like to walk would walk, and those who would like to run would run.” When the weather gets colder, teachers would bundle up and go for a 45-minute walk around the campus. “It’s a nice walk, and people love it,” said Mr. Kadamani.
Ms. Loew explained that the Wellness Fridays occur once every two months or so and that it is a part of the rotation of teacher professional development that takes place after students leave on Fridays. “We usually have either department meetings, teacher team meetings, or a Wellness Friday, and they sort of rotate every week.” She also shared that she wants to try leading a hula hoop session, where she can teach other teachers how to hula hoop.
“Personally, running makes me happy,” said Mr. Kadamani. “I do it because it is a good sport. It builds positive spirits. It builds discipline, and you will see changes in your body and metabolism if you are consistent.” He adds that it is important for him to know how to pace the other teachers in the session because some of them are not used to running repeatedly. “So I go slow and take my time,” said Mr. Kadamani. “It is just a part of life for me. Whenever I have the time, I go out, I make the time for it, and I do it.”
English teacher Katherine Lipinski, another teacher involved in the program, emphasized the level of choice as a key component of the sessions. “On Wellness Fridays, teachers and paraprofessionals can choose from a variety of sessions based on their interests,” she said. During Ms. Lipinski’s sessions, teachers from multiple departments can be seen taking turns facing off in Mario Kart races, all while building connections with their colleagues.
“I like the opportunity to have fun with other teachers because it helps us relieve some stress, learn more about one another, and balance out all the work we have,” said Ms. Loew.
