Dr. Kristen Sautner

AT-RISK: STUDENT STRESS AND WELLNESS AT A HIGH-ACHIEVING HIGH SCHOOL DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Stress is negatively affecting students from high-achieving schools. Stress has classified these students as an “at-risk” population and the pandemic has further shaped their experiences. The purpose of this case study was to explore student stress and wellness both prior to and during the pandemic at a highachieving school district in a northern suburb of New York City. The study further explored which supports educators from the high-achieving high school implemented to promote wellness and support students during the pandemic. The study further explored how the students experienced the changes and the positive outcomes of the pandemic for students and educators. This research was collected using qualitative methods. The Stanford Survey of Adolescent School Experiences data from the high-achieving high school were analyzed to identify student stress and wellness both prior to and during the pandemic. Interviews with educators from the school were completed to explore which supports were implemented during the pandemic to promote student wellness and coping. A questionnaire was sent to graduates from the school to explore their experiences. Recommendations were given on to help better inform practice to support student wellness at high-achieving high schools.

Kristen Sautner began her career in education as a school counselor at Cardinal Hayes High School in Bronx, New York in 2008 and as a Director of Guidance at Haldane High School in Cold Spring, New York in 2010. She transitioned to an administrator role as an Assistant Principal at Byram Hills High School in Armonk, New York in 2016. Kristen loves working in education and helping high school students prepare for their next phase of life. She values her time with students and credits her successes to the partnerships she has formed while collaborating with students, teachers, parents, administrators, and community members.