Joshua J. Smith was humbled and honored to be selected to serve on Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s COVID-19 Task Force on Education. As a high school counselor in Spring Arbor, Michigan, and a three-time cancer survivor, Josh knows how precarious health and wellness can be while also realizing the very real pressures of children not being able to go to school.
In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, Josh talks with host Lynne Golodner about how the state of Michigan is making decisions regarding return to learn, how to support families and youth maintain sound emotional health during the pandemic, and how to find your purpose and let it pour over the rest of your life.
In this episode, Lynne and Josh discuss:
- Being a high school counselor during a pandemic
- Maintaining good emotional health
- Tips for reducing stress during these uncertain times
- Choosing a profession in education to help people
- Heightened anxiety due to COVID-19
- Making decisions based on science and medical expertise
- A pandemic benefit: leveling the playing field for college applicants
Links and Resources
- The Michigan College Access Network
- A Healing Place
- The Western School District in Spring Arbor, Michigan
- Spring Arbor University
- Taking a Gap Year
- The effect of the pandemic on the SAT & ACT
Coming up next on the Make Meaning Podcast:
Lynne interviews Rasheda Kamaria Williams, founder of Empowered Flower Girl and an advocate against bullying.
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