Teacher Perceptions of Supporting Students Placed at Risk Socially and Emotionally through a Virtual Writing Camp

ABSTRACT

Students' social and emotional well-being can impact academic performance, the college planning process, transition to college life, and college retention. Many students have had their mental health and well-being negatively affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, especially within the educational setting. When instruction was shifted from in-person to virtual settings during the pandemic's onset in March 2020, students across the world found themselves disconnected from school, teachers, and friends. Leaders of schools and extracurricular programs sought online alternatives for connecting with others while physically separated. More than a year after the onset of the emergence COVID-19, educational leaders are still working to provide quality academic experiences while implementing safe approaches to instruction. The Improving the Blank Page (IBP) writing program was one such organization that shifted to a remote setting with facilitators hosting the first-ever virtual writing camp in Summer 2020. The researchers examined perspectives of teachers involved in the virtual writing camp about their beliefs regarding social and emotional impacts for participating students, all of whom attended high-needs high schools (Title 1 schools with all students receiving free or reduced lunch). Findings, including establishing a virtual writing community and opportunities for self-reflection and confidence building, are detailed within this article, along with recommendations for supporting social and emotional needs of students placed at risk. Professionals, it is critical that these professionals understand and incorporate the unique perspective of youth in foster care.