Shoring Up Support for Educators at SXSW EDU 2025
How can teachers explore the idea of 鈥渨hat you focus on is what grows,鈥� and learn听how to build capacity and avoid burnout? How can education preparation providers build multiple forms of teacher well-being into curriculum? How can school administrators foster an environment where creativity, collaboration, and growth are prioritized?
These are some of the questions addressed by WGU School of Education and school district leaders at this year鈥檚 SXSW EDU conference, held March 3-5 in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2011, is a vibrant annual event that brings together the brightest minds in education to tackle complex issues that affect learners everywhere.
During a panel presentation titled 鈥淐apacity, Care & Community for Educators,鈥� , WGU senior vice president and executive dean of the School of Education, moderated a conversation that explored solutions to one of the most pressing recent challenges鈥攈ow school stakeholders can work together to build stronger school communities.
Dr. Ludwig Johnson underscored the connection between teacher well-being and student success. "When we invest in our teachers' well-being, we are ultimately investing in our students' future,鈥� she said. 鈥淎 supported, thriving educator creates an environment where students can excel."
, WGU manager of healthy learning, emphasized that teachers are more than just professionals. They are caregivers, parents and individuals with their own mental and emotional health needs.
"It is important that when we're talking about our educators, we're not just seeing them within the profession, but that we're seeing them as individuals,鈥� said Dr. Pack.
School leaders can also set the tone for teacher retention and satisfaction. , principal of Lincoln Elementary School in Salt Lake City, shared his approach of 鈥渓eading from the heart,鈥� where he makes it a priority to check in with every staff member daily.听
"If you don鈥檛 take care of yourself, you can鈥檛 take care of kids," observed Collins. "I make sure I have that personal connection with everybody in my building鈥攖eachers, cooks, custodians鈥攂ecause relationships are the foundation of a thriving school."
, principal of Great Oaks Charter School in New York City and a WGU graduate (B.A. in Educational Studies-Mild to Moderate Exceptionalities Special Education), echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for school leaders to view teachers as individuals rather than just employees.听
"As a school leader, I鈥檓 often challenging my teachers to embrace the fact that they are humans first, not just educators," Wilson stated. "There is a need for us to see the individuals within our learning spaces as people coming in with their own challenges and concerns."
View the entire SXSW EDU 2025 panel session below.
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