When a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, a natural disaster, or similar event upends your community, how should you respond?
This article offers five essential trauma-informed priorities that can provide a solid foundation for these extreme situations. While the focus of the article is on the COVID 19 crisis, there are several useful ideas that can be applied to any situation where learning is suddenly outside the norm.
When schools started closing due to COVID 19, many teachers and parents thought the disruption would only last a few weeks. Even as closures have been extended, many still believe that life will return to “normal” after the summer is over.
This article takes a closer look at the realities involved and why there are no simple answers.
Administrator creativity is even more important during times of crisis. It’s often difficult to promote the positive when your constituents are primarily focused on the problem at hand.
But making the effort to come up with a positive message of hope, or creating something unique to offset the negative, can go a long way toward brightening everyone’s outlook.
Here’s an example: The principal of Poplar Springs High School in Graceville, Florida was heartbroken over how her seniors were missing out on events like graduation and prom. After some brainstorming, she came up with this creative idea!
So the next time you’re faced with a challenging situation, take some inspiration from principal West and look for creative ways to counter the crisis. As the old saying goes, “When life gives you lemons …”
ATU’s offers several forms of tuition help. This webpage describes several types of aid and includes a link to information about various Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) grants. Additional details can be found on the Federal and Private Student Loans page. Both of these pages now include a chatbot for further guidance, or you can contact the Financial Aid Office directly.
In addition, most students in our EDLD program are eligible for the TOP grant. This grant can reimburse teachers and administrators up to $3,000 a year for tuition and fees. Over the years, every student in our program who has applied for this grant has received it. (UPDATE: In April 2025, DESE announced plans to change this grant to “advance pay” rather than “reimbursement.” If that happens in the Fall of 2025 as planned, it means the grant will essentially begin working like a scholarship.)
Finally, the Arkansas Department of Education (DESE) Grant Opportunities webpage lists numerous state grants. These include the STEP grant (up to $4,000 year) and the “Geographical Need” grant ($1,500 year). The site also provides links to numerous external grant opportunities … from AAC to AEA to Walton and Rockefeller grants.
Hopefully the information above will prove helpful as you explore options for helping you finance the degrees/endorsements you need to expand your educational career.
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