Dear Members of the TC Community,

Yesterday, we hosted our Trustees for our annual retreat in our Smith Learning Theater where, in addition to Board business, we engaged in thoughtful discussion about the impact and potential future directions of our work in the area of mental health. Specifically, we explored the intersection of rising mental health and behavioral challenges in K-12 schools, potential interventions and TC’s role. 

Dr. Alexandra Pierce, who is helping to coordinate our mental health efforts as part of our Public Good Initiative, provided the national context on the state of school-based social-emotional and behavioral interventions and then Professor Ayorkor Gaba moderated a panel featuring Professors Mel Collier-Meek, Prerna Arora, and Colby Tofel-Grehl, where we considered the research, interventions, needs, and possibilities. A rich discussion covered a range of factors, from the appropriate roles of classroom teachers and the supports required to address mental health challenges; the value of culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches; the need for engaging all stakeholders in solutions, including students, families, and community members; and the value of multi-tiered structural solutions to address prevention measures and support referral systems. 

A few of the many things that stood out to me from our meeting:

• I felt extraordinary pride in our faculty participants, who were both detailed and accessible to a broad range of attendees, some of whom were steeped in these issues through their own work in schools, and others who were not. All were able to grasp the scope and complexity of the challenge, thanks to our presenters.
• Like most entrenched issues, this challenge is not easily solved, and most certainly requires inputs across disciplines. The discussion reinforced that the four thematic areas of our Public Good Initiative are each embedded in mental health issues, from the benefits and difficulties of technology and social media, to concerns around climate change and sustainability, to how we prepare, support and retain teachers in the face of handling these daily challenges with their students and in their own lives.
• The persistence of these problems over many years and the pace of change requires a holistic approach that engages many: political actors, school board leadership, community members, scholars, students, researchers, economists and more. While daunting, I know those of us present were energized by the talent we have among our faculty, the developing leadership among TC students, and the leverage we might be able to exert to bring these constituents together in support of future generations. 

I came away from the discussion optimistic and enthusiastic about engaging further.

TC Cares

I think whatever perspective we have in our roles at TC, whether student, staff, faculty, administration, we each understand the value of balance, and the role that mental and physical health plays in so many aspects of our lives. I appreciate that this is a focus of our scholarship and our culture at TC. In fact, as we completed our accreditation process with our Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) site visit and review last week, I'm pleased to share that the preliminary oral report included among its findings a commendation of our TC CARES program. They cited its comprehensive commitment to providing wraparound services and non-clinical case management as a vital support for our students. The preliminary report went as far as to say that this program has the potential to serve as a national model for other institutions. I look forward to sharing more from the report when it has been completed by MSCHE. In the meantime, I want to recognize the many staff, faculty, and students who were part of the enormous effort of preparing for our accreditation process. I am proud that our efforts to ensure the well-being of our students was recognized.

TC Acts

Finally, in the spirit of recognizing mental health and support needs, I want to acknowledge the impact of world events on our campus and appreciate the efforts of our Advancing Community Together (ACT) team to bring us together. We have continued to experience terrible acts of violence, both in the U.S., in the Middle East and elsewhere. While spring break begins next week, I know our staff and many students and faculty will still be on campus, and I have asked ACT to host a community session to help us process these events. Look for that invitation in your email. Our ability to be together, to process together, and to care for one another is a vital part of what makes Teachers College a community. We will continue to provide these opportunities.

For those traveling, I wish you a safe and restorative spring break and I look forward to seeing those remaining on campus over the coming week.

With best wishes,

Thomas Bailey
President
Teachers College, Columbia University