At the monthly staff get-together at Thalia Elementary, teachers try not to talk about work.
The goal is simple: to foster a supportive village — one that welcomes new teachers, uplifts veteran educators and reminds staff that they’re all in this together, says organizer Jessica Stronach.
“When we know each other as people first, collaboration and community naturally follow,” said Stronach, who teaches kindergarten.
In September, the group made bracelets. In October, participants decorated pumpkins.
- “It is nice that Mrs. Stronach, a fellow teacher, knows what teachers need after a long and stressful day,” said pre-K teacher Kelley Green.
- “The event is great because it brings us together as a school community,” said Carolyn Barnes, behavior intervention specialist.
- “We are teachers in a closed classroom all day. It’s nice to be able to get together and talk about our lives and get to know each other,” said fourth grade teacher Michelle Hanley.
After two years at Thalia, Mrs. Stronach realized how easy it is to stay within the bubble of her grade level team and only interact with those she worked with directly.
“I didn’t feel as connected to the wider school community as I wanted to be — and I suspected others might feel the same,” she said. “That’s why I brought the idea of the Soaring Social to principal Nicole Keros: a once-a-month opportunity for staff to meet, decompress and build connections beyond our immediate circles. I wanted to create a space where we could prioritize ourselves, even just for a short time, without the pressure of a formal meeting or professional development.”
Michelle Hanley is the school media liaison and a fourth grade teacher at Thalia Elementary.
