Angela Watson’s Truth for Teachers
Education:Courses
There has been a significant increase in mental health issues among young people in America since 2012, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicide attempts, and suicide. Contrary to popular belief, these trends started before the pandemic, with rates of major depression among teens doubling between 2011 and 2019. Girls and young women are more likely to experience these issues, and the gender gap has been widening.
The introduction of smartphones and social media around 2012 is believed to be a major factor in the decline of mental wellbeing, as it has led to less face-to-face interaction, increased sleep deprivation, and constant exposure to social media.
Dr. Jean Twenge has conducted extensive research in this area. She’s a renowned psychologist and scholar who specializes in generational differences and technology based on a dataset of 39 million people, and has published more than 180 articles and books.
In our conversation, Jean emphasizes the need for conversations about healthy phone and screen habits, as well as the importance of setting clear rules and boundaries for phone use.
We talk extensively about getting student and parent buy-in around Jean’s recommendation that cell phones be banned in school from bell-to-bell, including during lunch time and breaks. Jean asserts that the research supports this policy, and emphasizes that it should be school-wide and not left to individual teachers to enforce.
Despite the challenges, we discuss our hopes for Gen Z and what makes Jean optimistic about the future. She encourages educators to take the mental health crisis seriously and understand that it is not just our perception or feeling that something is wrong.
Her challenge is for educators to help students understand the love-hate relationship they have with their phones, and provide structure and clear rules to help them navigate technology in a healthy way.
Click here to read the transcript and participate in the discussion.
EP162 My best advice on 10 sticky situations in schools
EP161 Thriving as an introverted teacher (with Betsy Potash of Spark Creativity)
EP160 Fewer things, better: 4 beliefs to help you focus on what matters most
EP159 No, you don't have to consume yourself to light the way for others
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EP158 We got this: Cornelius Minor on teachers as agents of change
EP157 The Warm Demander: How to raise expectations (and have students rise to meet them)
EP156 Five syndromes that overcomplicate your teaching—here's the cure
EP155 How to curate an easy teaching wardrobe that’s comfortable and feels like “you”
EP154 My current book-writing process (and what scares me about book #5)
EP153 Why teachers are historically overworked & undervalued, and how to disrupt the pattern (with Jenn Binis)
EP152 Six ways to (mentally) leave work at work
EP151 What’s considered “enough” lesson support to help kids be successful? (Ericka's coaching call)
EP150 How to keep overbearing, micromanaging parents from stressing you out
EP149 Living an organized life (with Lisa Woodruff of Organize 365)
EP148 Letting go instead of trying harder
EP147 Always feel rushed in class? How to let go of the GOOD to make time for the GREAT
EP146 Habits of self-care when you have no time
EP145 When you can’t (or don’t want to) stick to routines: How to create flexibility within structure (Amy's Coaching Call)
EP144 Why are most teachers white women, and how can we attract and support a diverse faculty?
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