Where we came from
Educator Support Network is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to providing practical and emotional support to the educational workforce to improve their wellbeing and effectiveness.
Several years ago, Teacher Support Network in the UK began to offer services to improve employee wellbeing and performance similar to those employed in the corporate sector. It did this in collaboration with local education agencies, unions, professional organizations, and the national government.
The results exceeded expectations. Teacher Support Line (a confidential telephone and on-line counseling service exclusively for educators) has reduced stress-related illness, absences, and resignations. Preliminary indications are that it has also lowered health care program use.
The Well-Being Program (a service to reduce organizational sources of dissatisfaction) outcomes have included improved school social environment, better interpersonal relationships, school community planning and problem solving, and friendlier daily routines.
Schools with both programs have reported up to 50% reductions in absenteeism (70% of participating schools had lower than average absence rates), significant reductions in teacher resignations, and in some cases significant increases in teacher applicants for vacant positions. Furthermore, services paid for themselves returning £3 (UK pounds) in savings for every £1 invested.
Educator Support Network is the US affiliate of the highly successful Teacher Support Network in the United Kingdom and we hope in the long run to provide similar benefits to educators in the US.
