E4E-Chicago Teacher Action Team 2025
We need to address the mental health crisis in Chicago Public Schools.
Our students are struggling socially and emotionally, impacting their ability to thrive in school. In fact, 40% of high schoolers nationally report symptoms of depression, with even higher rates among LGBTQ+ students. Students deserve emotional care and safety, and can’t access academic content when they are experiencing overwhelming emotions or a mental health crisis without the tools to regulate themselves.
Only 19% of teachers report the teaching profession is sustainable. We can’t pour into our students from an empty cup. Yet, we hear from our peers across CPS that there are so many teachers with empty cups, which is leading to burnout and workforce instability. We need more reasonable workloads, support from our administrators, and full access to mental health resources so we can take care of ourselves and our students.
Want change? Make it! Join Educators for Excellence (E4E) and Bellwether to research the core issues tied to mental health, learn about successful programs and policies that have been used to address this crisis, and design an advocacy campaign so that we can bring about real solutions to this problem.
What we’re looking for:
- E4E Chicago is seeking licensed CPS teachers and clinicians (including social workers, psychologists, and counselors) who are passionate about deepening their understanding & advising on systemic policy solutions to address the school-based mental health workforce gap.
- TAT members must be committed to advancing equity across all lines of identities, and sign the E4E Teacher Declaration if they have not previously done so.
- Critical thinkers who have the ability to think big and beyond their individual classroom
- Educators who are energized by discussing policy
- Anti-racist, activist educators who are energized by speaking out and activating their colleagues and network to push for equitable changes in education
Approximate Time Commitment:
- The Teacher Action Team will convene from May-September 2025
- Weekly 1-2 hour sessions over Zoom
- Additional 1-2 hours of work outside of Zoom sessions per month
- At least one in-person gathering in August
Role of the Teacher Action Team:
- Use evidence to identify pressing education issues and advocate for solutions to address them
- Developing activists and volunteers across the school district to build teacher power
- Serve as public voices and media stewards to collectively amplify issues and solutions our members care deeply about
Compensation:
- Teacher Action Team members will receive a $750 honorarium for their time, provided in a lump sum at the completion of their participation. Full participation is defined as attending at least 75% of sessions.