Kristilynn Turney, Ed.D.Keynote Speaker, Salem Speakers Bureau · TEDx Ensley Ave ED 2026 I Dynamic Speaker & Presenter I Author I Transforming Schools Through Strategic Planning, Leadership Development, and School Improvement I Results-Driven Educational Leader | E

(Episode 02)The Greatest Time of Year? Why Some Students and Staff Struggle & How Leaders Can Help

14 Dec 2025 · 1 min

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In this episode, the speaker highlights that the holiday season, while often celebrated as the "greatest time of year," can be a period of hardship for many students and staff due to food insecurity. The disruption of regular school meals leaves both groups vulnerable to nutritional gaps. The speaker urges educational leaders to proactively connect their communities to local food resources, such as district food pantries and community organizations, ensuring that everyone has access to adequate nutrition throughout the holidays.

Chapters

It's the greatest time of year, but not for everybody. So let me share with you some resources and strategies that you can use to help your staff and students who might not feel like this is their greatest time of year. First of all, let's talk a little bit about food insecurity. During this time, staff members as well as students might feel that disconnect from their traditional meals that they get during the school day. And so, I encourage you as leaders to connect your staff and students to local resources, or perhaps your district has a food pantry that they can access during this time. Connect them to those local and community resources that are going to ensure that they have the food and the nutrition that they need to get through the holiday season.