MANOR, Texas —
Starting this school year, all staff at Manor ISD district will get special "Mental Health Days" so they can take a break when they need it.
As the first bell rings, teachers and staff members welcome this year's students.
"The way that the classroom is set up is extremely important for scholars," said Robin Farlow, a seventh grade accelerated math teacher at Manor New Tech Middle School.
While Manor New Tech Middle School gets last-minute renovations, teachers like Farlow are hard at work.
"We're not only our students' teachers. We're their role models, we're their cheerleaders, we're their mentors, we're their coaches, we're their nurses – all before 8 in the morning," she said.
Just like they set up classrooms, teachers must set themselves up for success during the school year.
"If you're not of a healthy mindset, you know, a healthy disposition, you know, in all the ways that define a human, you can't really be a good teacher. It's difficult," Farlow said.
The district is giving all staff members two new Mental Health Days each to use at their discretion.
"People can really get down on themselves. And I think this is a way the Board of Trustees and myself can tell our staff that we care," Manor ISD Superintendent Dr. Robert Sormani said.
Sormani said these aren't regular days off, but they are provided for teachers and staff to help them reset and recharge.
"I think it's important because people don't realize that teachers will give it their all every day, even when they really need to take some time just to take care of themselves," he said.
Sydney Kester, an eighth grade math teacher and coach at Manor New Tech Middle School, said she plans on using the mental health days to take care of herself.
She wants to take the time to, "Go to Lake Pflugerville, pop out a blanket in a tent, get some snacks, air up my tube and just enjoy the sunshine."
"If you're going to be your best self and you want to show up and give 100% every day, it starts with inside," she said.
The hope is that this will put staff members in the best position to be ready for whatever this school year brings.
