WELCOME TO THE
Virtual Teachers' LoungeTeaching is especially challenging. The Virtual Teachers’ Lounge is a place where teachers can safely share how they manage with students, share best practices, and receive peer support. We were founded during the Pandemic, and we’re here to stay.
Our Environment
Karen Gross, Sakina McGruder, Pat Neal and Ed Wang created the Virtual Teachers’ Lounge as a place for teachers to engage with each other, sharing and listening and yes, venting. Visit our “History and Outcomes” page HERE to read more about our beginnings.
Location: Our instructors are located throughout the U.S.
Email: virtualteacherslounge4today@gmail.com
HOW WE DO IT
A mutual support group that includes facilitators with extensive experience in education and wellness coaching who will assist in identifying themes, problem-solving strategies, and resources. Join us for the VTL cohort for 2024/2025. Please scroll down to learn more about our programs and to register.
Mission
What is VTL?
A safe, private, non-judgmental get-together where there are no right or wrong answers.
A place where teachers share how they are managing students; sharing frustrations and receiving peer and administrative support.
A place to listen about the adjustments of work and relationships (we started during the Pandemic) and we understand that change is ongoing in education. Covid illuminated the importance of ongoing peer-support.
A support group that is person-centered, group-directed, and not a psychotherapy session.
A mutual support group that includes facilitators with extensive experience in education and wellness coaching who will assist in identifying themes, problem-solving strategies and resources.
A resource group to share wellness strategies, teaching adaptation and best practices.
A place of building resilience with stories of successful coping, hope and growth.
A Word
From Our Founders
“The absence of opportunities for teachers to engage with each other — even for a short time period each day — has had a profound negative impact on teachers processing their daily encounters with students. The goal of VTL discussions is to foster teacher wellbeing through the lifespan of a career. “
– Karen, Sakina, Pat & Ed
Calendar
Our Upcoming Events & Programs
12
March
ICE and the Educational Landscape: Trauma’s Impact and Stress-Related Coping Strategies
How is ICE activity affecting K–12 school communities?
Join us for an important and timely conversation examining the traumatic impact of ICE on students, families, caregivers, and educators. This webinar will distinguish among primary, secondary, and vicarious trauma, explore acute and deferred symptomology, and provide practical stress-management strategies for school settings.
There will be time for questions and dialogue.
Anyone may read and sign the pledge by visiting this link:
https://forms.gle/iF7aQnH7DKuUtxQf9
15
April
Open Conversation: legislative and judicial updates, positives we can find in the midst of negatives, classroom strategies.
Each month, we have an open conversation with teachers to brainstorm solutions, strategies, and action steps. Our discussion begins on at 7:30 p.m. (USET) and lasts until 8:30 p.m.
Registration:
https://forms.gle/9Zjqc9LrQPsqT8Tu8
Please direct any questions about our programs to Carol Linscott. You can also register with her for our conversation on October 16 or other meetings.
Registration questions: Contact Carol Linscott at carolynilinscott@gmail.com.
20
May
Conversation: legislative and judicial updates, positives we can find in the midst of negatives and classroom strategies.
From 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET
Join us as we share knowledge, gain understanding, and seek solutions and paths to self-care and joy. We encourage you to share this invitation with your colleagues and friends.
Registration:
https://forms.gle/yfoWYVAzVeUKs7518https://forms.gle/yfoWYVAzVeUKs7518
Program questions: Contact Pat Neal at patneal60@gmail.com.
Registration questions: Contact Carol Linscott at carolynilinscott@gmail.com.
About the discussion leaders
The four discussion leaders are members (and an honorary member) of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for Key Women Educators (DKG) and founders of the Virtual Teachers’ Lounge.
Karen Gross is an educator and author of adult and children’s books and a former college president. She serves as an instructor in continuing education at the Rutgers School of Social Work, a visiting professor at various colleges, and a consultant to school systems across the United States. She was an author in residence at Molly Stark Elementary School in Vermont.
Sakina McGruder is a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) with more than 18 years of experience with elementary and intermediate school students and their families. She is a former kindergarten teacher who currently serves as a math support instructor for students and teachers.
Pat Neal served as a teacher in the District of Columbia Public Schools. Later, she served as a teacher and school counselor for elementary and middle school students and as the Director of Student Services in the Fairfax, Virginia Public School System. She is a recognized leader of educational organizations across the United States including the 2019-2021 president of the DKG DC State Organization.
Ed K.S. Wang, M.S., Psy.D. is a grandparent and psychologist who promotes the social and emotional well-being of children across the globe. As the Director of Policy and Planning for the Division of Global Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital; a former member of the National Advisory Council, Department of Health and Human Services, and a public steward of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, he continues to call attention to the resiliency and hope, growth and healing of mental ill adults and children. He is an “honorary” member of DKG.
The Educators’ Pledge: Standing Strong for All Students
June 2025
As participants in America’s educational system, we are deeply concerned about the unprecedented federal government overreach and political interference now endangering early childhood through adulthood education. While we recognize the importance of reasoned, researched reform and legitimate government oversight, we are profoundly troubled by the slashing and/or eradication of wide-ranging programs and grant funding — all of which negatively impact literally millions of students, teachers and families in our nation.
Through the federal government, there has historically been critical and significant support for our most vulnerable students and communities. Key support has existed for research on a wide range of topics to measure educational outcomes and ensure fairness, enforcement of the civil rights and liberties of students and encouragement of high school graduation and progression to, and success in, technical programs/apprenticeships and colleges/universities.
Because of these very opportunities and freedoms, American educational institutions are essential to our nation’s prosperity and serve as productive partners with government and our communities in promoting the common good, including as engines of opportunity and mobility and contributors to economic and cultural vitality. They foster knowledge, creativity and innovation and are major employers. They engage in and support research, and many provide needed academic supports as well as food and mental and physical healthcare and other essential services to students and families.
Our students and our society will pay the price for the abridgement of these freedoms and government support for education. We must allow our schools, colleges and universities to serve as centers of open inquiry where, in their pursuit of truth, knowledge and well-being, teachers, students, and staff are free to exchange ideas and opinions across a full range of viewpoints, all without fear of retribution, censorship or deportation. Educational institutions of a fully democratic nation depend on federal funding, the Rule of Law, protection of the freedom of speech and expression, all of which are now being threatened.
We commit to work together, joining with state and local leaders, students, labor unions, associations, organizations and communities, to form the broadest possible coalition to work against the dangerous slashing of much needed funding for educational programs, especially those that support our students and families most in need across our nation. We all need to stand up and be counted now or we will be remembered as among those who impeded our nation’s educational system to the detriment of our Democracy.
/s/ Karen Gross, Carol Linscott, Sakina McGruder, Pat Neal, Elizabeth Tarner, Edward K.S. Wang
Click HERE to sign the pledge.
Non-Discrimination Policy
We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.