The Post-Pandemic Classroom: Addressing Mental Health, Social Media, and Critical Race Theory in the Digital Age

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In this episode of the Teachers Forum, host David Harris engages in a deep discussion with educators Melanee Duncan Friday and Dave Stieber about the pressing issues of mental health in students, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. They explore the impact of social media, the challenges faced by students in processing emotions, and the role of schools in providing support. The conversation highlights the need for more resources, the importance of trauma-informed teaching, and the complexities of managing cell phone use in educational settings. In this conversation, educators discuss the impact of technology on learning, the challenges of teaching history and critical race theory, and the media's portrayal of parental perspectives in education. They explore the balance between digital citizenship and classroom management, and ultimately reflect on what gives them hope in the current educational landscape.

Additional resources on the topics discussed in the episode: 

• Addressing mental health challenges among students in all grade levels. 
  • Kid's Declining Mental Health Is the 'Crisis of our Time,' Surgeon General Says
• Cell phone bans in schools across the country
  • Why Schools Are Racing to Ban Student Phones
  • Schools Say No to Cellphones, but is it a good idea
  • A look at state efforts to ban cell phones
• Black History Bans
  • Black History 'Underground Railroad" forms across U.S. after increase of book bans

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