Hi. This is a straightforward plea from a local high school science teacher to get cell phones out of our schools. I enjoy my job even though I would characterize it as frequently stressful and often overwhelming.
Teenagers have big, beautiful hearts, and I consider it an honor to spend time around them. I also consider my job an act of community service. Being a teacher in 2024 is challenging. Not only are we asked to plan and deliver deep, quality content, we’re also asked to manage cell phone usage, respond to security threats, shepherd the mental health and wellbeing of our students and teach young adults to be kind and caring humans.
The elements beyond the science content have gotten more and more challenging post COVID. Some of what I’m noticing in the past one or two years includes:
There are more students who are dysregulated in the classroom. I experienced my first two classroom fights in the last calendar year.
More students are actively on and addicted to their phones and other electronic devices.
More students are suffering from mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
More teachers are requesting to reduce their teaching load due to the emotional toll teaching takes on their wellbeing.
There’s a lack of qualified and experienced teachers to fill positions in the district, as teaching has become a harder and less appealing job.
I urge the community and the school district to protect our kids’ mental health and teacher sanity and get phones out of our schools. We can do this, and there are successful models at other school districts we can follow. Research, data and evidence on currant national trends an the negative impacts of screens and social media can be found in a variety of locations, including the recently released book by Jonathan Haidt: “The Anxious Generation” (www.anxiousgeneration.com).
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Emily Martin teaches science and Mind-Body Connection at Hood River Valley High School. The former director of Cascade Mountain School, Trout Lake, she leads a monthly mindfulness hike with Good River Wellness Center and a monthly meditation class at Machi Yoga, and is a mindfulness coach.
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