Conference held for Teachers to talk Mental Health and Boosting Morale in the Classroom

DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — Teachers’ responsibilities range far beyond just learning about different subjects in the classroom as they are also stepping in to physically and mentally care for their students.

“You can’t add value to others unless you add value to yourself,” Willie Spears said. “So, we just want to remind them, as school gets back in, that they matter.”

At the first-ever, “Verge Educational Conference,” teachers from Morgan and Lawrence counties spoke about their own mental health, how to boost classroom morale, and how to help kids with trauma at home.

Willie Spears worked in the educational field for over twenty years, and he now goes across the country as a motivational speaker to help other teachers.

He said pouring into educators and giving them hope can be instrumental in seeing student’s success.

“Today, we got to give hope to teachers,” Spears said. “We hope they’re out there smiling really big, and we’re grateful that these two groups came together to add value to the lives of teachers in this community.”

Sarah Beth Dunlap, a teacher at Priceville High School, says getting to meet with teachers of different areas and sharing experiences with each other will help start the school year off on a high note.

“If you are better informed and you can realize your cup is full, and you can pour out and give to other students and give out to the parents and then to the community,” said Dunlap. “It’s just gonna be a better environment for everybody.”

“I believe that teaching is the most important profession in the world, because a teacher will impact more lives in one year than most people in their lifetime,” said Spears.

Although this conference was targeted for Morgan and Lawrence counties, this will be an annual event with hopes to reach the entire state next year.

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