In September 2017, elementary school teacher Joycesonia Lawson went through a mental and physical breakdown due to chronic stress and work pressure that had built up from over 18 years of teaching in an under resourced community in North Carolina. She was placed on medical leave for the rest of that school year and realized that if she did not start prioritizing her health and wellness, she might never be able to teach again.
Joycesonia felt alone and recognized she needed support to help her set boundaries, manage her heavy workload, and reduce work stress and anxiety but was unable to find that assistance within her school system. To fill this gap, she decided to form an organization that would create the help and support that she desperately lacked as a teacher. In 2019, Joycesonia founded Teacher Care Now Foundation Inc. (TCNfi) a nonprofit organization that provides teachers with health and wellness resources and support. TCNfi provides workshops, professional development, game nights, and other resources to help teachers prioritize their health and wellness. They believe that when teachers are at their mental and physical best their families, students, communities, and society all benefit.
TCNfi offers a variety of resources for teachers experiencing stress, burnout, anxiety and other health-related concerns. On the fourth Friday of the month, they host a virtual teacher health and wellness bingo night. This is an opportunity for teachers to disconnect from work, relax, recharge, and enjoy a night filled with bingo, prizes, and opportunities to prioritize their health and wellness. Teachers can register to join, and supporters can purchase tickets for teachers they know (hint: these make great teacher appreciation gifts!). On August 17 TCNfi will be hosting a “Prioritizing Your Mental Health” workshop for teachers. During this virtual event TCNfi staff will share strategies with teachers to prioritize their mental health while in the classroom. TCNfi is excited to begin partnering with schools and school systems to provide professional development to help support the mental and physical health of their teachers. For more information on how to get Teacher Care Now Foundation resources in your school(s), contact TCNfi today!
Teacher Care Now Foundation began operating in the Champaign-Urbana community a year and a half ago when Joycesonia relocated to Champaign. She connected with the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois where she learned about the Community Solutions Incubator for new and emerging nonprofit founders. Earlier this year Joycesonia participated in the 2024 incubator cohort where she received educational training and one on one mentoring. Joycesonia’s mentor listened to her plans, helped her better structure her organization, and connected her with key people in the community who had similar goals. Joycesonia states, “Being connected with the Community Foundation has been priceless! Running a nonprofit is not easy, but the Community Foundation has helped provide a network of support, knowledge, and resources to make sure that TCNfi is equipped for growth and longevity.”
One of the most rewarding things that Joycesonia does today is to share her story of how prioritizing her health and wellness made her a better person, mother, and teacher.
Are you interested in getting involved with Teacher Care Now Foundation? Here are ways you can support their efforts:
- Become a monthly donor – This is the best and most direct way to help TNCfi help teachers. Donating helps their team to reach and provide more teachers in our area with needed health and wellness resources and support. Make a tax-deductible donation here today!
- Volunteer with TCNfi – Teacher Care Now Foundation is always looking for volunteers to serve on committees and to help out with events and workshops. If interested, please schedule to speak to someone by clicking here.
- Share the Teacher Care Now website and resources with teachers – The quickest way to help teachers is to share TCNfi with them. Share the website https://tcnfi.org/where teachers can register for events and workshops and access other resources that will benefit them immediately.
Follow TCNfi through their Eventbrite Page for upcoming events or their private Facebook group for teachers to stay connected!