A Guide for Schools & Educators: Helping Students & Educators Feel Supported through Uncertainty

‍We See You. We Hear You. We’re Here for You.

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Across the country, students and educators are feeling anxiety and fear about the recent immigration policies and their potential impact. Whether it's concern for a friend, a student, a colleague, or a family member, this uncertainty can feel overwhelming.

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At Clayful, we believe that all students deserve to feel safe, supported, and valued. Educators, too, deserve spaces where they can process their emotions and continue being the anchors that so many students rely on.

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What Students Might Be Feeling Right Now:

• Fear that they or someone they love might be taken away.
• Anxiety about the unknown and feeling powerless.
• Distraction from schoolwork and difficulty focusing.
• Shame, isolation, or the urge to withdraw from friends.
• Emotional exhaustion from carrying constant worry.

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What Educators Might Be Feeling Right Now:

• Deep concern for their students and how to help them.
• Frustration at not having all the answers.
• Pressure to remain neutral while also providing support.
• A sense of helplessness in protecting students they care about.

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How We Can Support Ourselves & Each Other:

For Students:

✅ Validate their emotions. Saying “That sounds really scary” or “I can see why you feel that way” can help them feel seen.

✅ Keep routines predictable. When the world feels uncertain, having reliable class structures, clear expectations, and a sense of normalcy can provide comfort.

✅ Create safe spaces. Let them know they have adults they can trust and talk to.

✅ Encourage small acts of control. Help students focus on things they can do—such as deep breathing, journaling, or checking in with a trusted friend.

✅ Normalize asking for help. Let them know it’s okay to talk to a coach, counselor, or teacher about how they feel.  Here are some ways normalize asking for help.

✅ Support healthy sleep habits. Anxiety can make it hard for students to fall asleep. Encourage these healthy sleeping habits and to listen to this playlist to get to sleep. This makes it more likely that they come to school the next day.

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For Educators:

✅ Be a steady presence. Even if you don’t have all the answers, showing up with calm, consistency, and kindness makes a difference.

✅ Make space for feelings, not just solutions. Sometimes, students just need to be heard. Use this tool to help start the conversation.

✅ Use grounding techniques in class. A simple mindfulness activity at the start of class can help students self-regulate. Here is one you can try. Here is another one.

✅ Take care of yourself, too. Educators carry a lot. Talking to someone, practicing self-care, and leaning on your own support system is essential.  Here are some ideas. 

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How Clayful Can Help:

💬 On-demand coaching for students—a space where they can share their worries anonymously and receive support, both inside and outside the school walls

💬 On-demand coaching for educators (NEW!)— immediate connection with a coach to help educators manage stress and emotions in challenging times.

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Both teacher and student coaching is available for our school partners at chatwithclayful.com

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Please share this with any educator who might find it useful. No educator should have to carry this weight alone. As you support your students, know that we are here to support you and your community 💛

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📢 Join Our Webinar: When Fear Enters the Classroom: Helping Students & Educators Feel Supported through Uncertainty

Looking for more tactical strategies to help your students and yourself? Join our upcoming webinar, where we’ll lead a conversation with school-based mental health professionals who are supporting their community right now and share actionable tools educators can use right away.

📅 Sign up here.

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