Educators for Excellence-Chicago Calls On School Board to Introduce Educator Mental Health Resolution

Chicago, IL — Educators for Excellence–Chicago (E4E-Chicago), an organization representing more than 8,000 Chicago teachers, today called on the Chicago Board of Education to place a resolution establishing a districtwide educator mental health strategy on its next meeting agenda. 

During public comment at today’s board meeting, E4E-Chicago Organizer John Weaver urged board members to take action, emphasizing that while Chicago has made important strides in supporting student mental health, those efforts will fall short without a comprehensive strategy to support educators. E4E-Chicago also highlighted growing educator support for action, noting that hundreds of teachers have signed a petition calling for the board to require a district-wide educator mental health strategy.

“The adult in front of the classroom shapes whether a student shows up, participates, and believes they can succeed,” said Weaver. “If we are serious about serving our students, we must be just as serious about supporting the people in front of them each day.”

The proposed resolution calls for a districtwide educator mental health strategy with clear supports, measurable goals, and systemwide accountability. While Chicago Public Schools has implemented various initiatives to support educator well-being, E4E-Chicago emphasized that current efforts remain fragmented and lack transparency around effectiveness and reach.

“Right now, we have a patchwork of programs without a clear strategy, metrics, or accountability,” said Dr. Marlena Little, Executive Director of E4E-Chicago. “We don’t know what’s working, who it’s reaching, or how to improve it. That’s not sustainable, especially at a time when retaining a strong, diverse educator workforce is more important than ever.”

E4E-Chicago’s full written testimony can be found here.