Lynwood High School world history teacher Ana Orozco is helping students and teachers meet challenges through self-care. Orozco knew that her students were feeling anxiety during the pandemic, so she decided to dedicate real hours to tending to their social and emotional needs.
Orozco developed a self-care guide that includes activities that nurture the mind, body, and spirit. For her compassion and inventiveness, she’s this week’s Distance Learning Educator of the Week.
“We ask a lot of students, but it’s not often enough that we ask them how they feel about something,” Orozco said. “I wanted to help create a space where they could nurture the emotions of what they’re feeling and decompress.”
Her exceptional work was highlighted by the UCLA History Project and has also inspired colleagues. Firebaugh teacher Amber Palma is also including self-care into her remote curriculum as well as LHS teacher Custodio Gomez who has “Self-Care Wednesdays” that allow students to do everything from creating face coverings to funny memes.
Orozco is currently creating a self-care zine with students that will be shared with the community, and leading personal development sessions on the subject for other educators.