Success Requires Outreach to Teachers Brynteson's survey, however, also showed that many teachers are unfamiliar with school-based health centers and the services they provide. Health center staff often establish excellent working relationships with teachers. Nell Sanders, who teaches seventh and eight grade health and physical education at Jena Junior High School in Jena, La., said the health center personnel there make an effort to mingle with faculty and participate in school events. At Otto Middle School, the health center's doors are open to people throughout the community, including teachers, which has helped foster good relationships between health center and faculty staff, according to Haley. Haley then used her new knowledge and insights to set up tours of the health center for her students, to better understand the science of health care.
Teachers say that they also feel it when health center services are cut back.
At Jena Junior High, the health center was open five days a week last year, but this year it's only open 2.5 days, Sanders said. For Aschenbrener, the difference is even more dramatic. Mission High School's health center was a full-service clinic, with a mental health program and a strong community emphasis, and won national recognition, she said. I have no place to send them. And middle school teachers especially are dealing with children at volatile stages of their lives, when they are more prone to social and emotional difficulties.