What if more mental health claims from staff was actually good news? In this episode, our return guest is Shauna Streich, Case Manager, Disability Benefits Plan, The Manitoba Teachers’ Society. She explains the interim results of a project she’s been working on which shows how shorter sick leaves reveal that educators are finally seeking help earlier—because they feel safer to speak up. Drawing on Amy Edmondson’s research on psychological safety, she shows how open reporting and honest conversations make teams stronger rather than weaker. At the same time, Shauna emphasizes that recognition is at the heart of staff well-being. Educators at every level—from custodians to EAs to teachers and principals—don’t want token gestures or pizza lunches. They want to be truly seen for the hard, messy work they do every day, whether that’s managing a difficult student or navigating a tough parent conversation. This episode connects the dots between psychological safety, recognition, and relational leadership practices that reduce stress leaves for teachers AND principals. What resonated with you? What challenges do you face in your day to day principal practice? Take 5 minutes to share your thoughts at https://www.restorative.ca/cff

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