Human Resources in schools is often associated with payroll, contracts and compliance, but it can be so much more than that. When Human Resources is treated as a relational hub rather than a back-office function, it becomes one of the most powerful engines of adult care and culture-building on campus. At Pine Crest School, we’ve seen how HR can serve as a catalyst for faculty and staff wellness, connection and belonging when it is intentionally embedded in the life of the community. Instead of operating only behind forms and deadlines, HR shows up in classrooms, dining halls and shared spaces, asking: What do you need to feel well, supported and able to do your best work with students?
When HR leans into that question, its role expands. It becomes a listener, a connector and a designer of experiences that honor the whole person—physical, emotional, financial, career and social. That shift has shaped our approach to employee wellness at Pine Crest School and continues to influence how we care for the adults who make school possible every day.
At Pine Crest, we’ve learned that when our people feel seen, supported and valued, everything else in the school works better. Wellness is not an initiative sitting on a shelf; it is something we try to weave into the daily life of the school.
That means wellness does not “belong” to HR alone. Divisions, departments and teams have all found their own ways to create spaces that reflect the unique needs of their colleagues. Some efforts are structured and scheduled; others are informal and organic. Together, they create a culture where it is normal to talk about workload, balance, stress, joy and what it takes to sustain a life in schools.
A key shift for us has been rethinking how HR shows up. We wanted to move away from the idea that HR is a place you only go when something is wrong. Instead, we’ve focused on being visible and approachable throughout the school day.
You’ll often find HR team members in the dining hall, grabbing coffee or walking through divisions just to check in. Those quick, informal touchpoints often open the door to deeper conversations later. When someone needs private time, it is easy to schedule a one-on-one conversation directly through our communications. The message we hope people feel is simple: We are here, we are listening and you do not have to navigate challenges alone.
Where we are now is the result of gradual evolution. We have used surveys and focus groups, but much of our learning has come from those hallway chats and honest “How are you?” moments. When a colleague is comfortable enough to say, “I wish we had…” we pay attention.
We also widened our lens. Our community includes classroom teachers, instructional staff, coaches, tutors, part-time employees and colleagues in every area of school operations. Their schedules, pressures and needs don’t look the same. Recognizing that was an important turning point. Wellness efforts have to account for this diversity if they are going to feel authentic and equitable.
Because we have two campuses and ancillary sites, we are intentional about spending time in all locations. It is not just “working from a different office”; it is showing up, in person, so that every employee knows they are part of the same fabric of care.
In 2022, our President, Dr. Dana Markham, asked us to take our commitment a step further by forming a Wellness Committee. We brought together faculty and staff from different divisions and both campuses so that the perspectives in the room reflected the broader community.
This committee has helped us:
We have always believed that supporting faculty and staff wellness is part of our culture, not a standalone project. The committee has been one way to spread that responsibility and give more people a voice in shaping what wellness looks like here. Using insights from the committee and everyday feedback, we plan offerings with two priorities in mind: accessibility and relevance.
We aim to host at least one wellness-related experience each month, balancing during-the-day pauses with after-hours opportunities that support self-care outside of work. We work carefully around major school events so participation feels possible rather than stressful.
Communication is key. Weekly and monthly updates highlight what is available and we look for simple ways to lower the barrier to engagement. Our informal “Ask HR” pop-ups are a good example. A visible sign, a welcoming table and a casual setup invite people to stop by for anything from a quick question to a longer conversation. These small-scale efforts have had a surprisingly big impact on trust and connection.
We also try to keep a sense of fun in the mix. A monthly health quiz, for instance, gives employees a chance to learn something new about wellness and enter a drawing for a small prize. It supports both learning and financial wellness while adding a lighthearted touch to the workday.
Some of our most successful efforts have come from leaning into the talents already present in our community. When a colleague leads a yoga class, organizes a tennis game, hosts a craft workshop or shares a passion in a new way, participation tends to grow naturally. It is powerful to discover the skills and interests that have been “right under our nose” all along.
At the same time, we partner with external organizations to extend what a small internal team can offer. Over time, we have built relationships with providers who:
We also look to nearby businesses, like fitness centers, yoga studios, or wellness practices, that are interested in partnering and offering discounts to our employees. These relationships often start with a simple question and grow into win–win collaborations that benefit both the school and the local community.
This spring, our wellness work took center stage in a special way. On Friday, March 20, 2026, faculty and staff from both campuses came together on the Fort Lauderdale campus for a Health and Wellness Expo and Teachers Teaching Teachers sessions focused on emotional, physical, financial, career and social wellness.
We had colleagues who shared their expertise and creativity by presenting 45-minute sessions that promote health and wellness. Sessions took place throughout the school—in Upper School classrooms, the Egan Library, Munsey Gym, Fine Arts spaces and other locations. This day was designed to feel less like a conference and more like an experience: moving, trying, reflecting and learning from one another in real time.
“We often discuss with our colleagues the importance of bringing our best selves to work. Our best selves are creative, engaged and productive. Cultivating sustained wellness is essential to showing up as our best selves. Designing a day dedicated to helping everyone connect with various elements of wellness not only creates a space for that connection but also highlights the value Pine Crest places on employee wellness.” - Dr. Krista Promnitz, Executive Director of Educational Support Services
We see this Expo as a natural extension of our ongoing work. It highlights the knowledge and talents of our own community, brings both campuses together, and offers space for colleagues to explore wellness in ways that feel meaningful to them.
“The biggest benefit of the Expo is coming together as a community and learning from each other! We explore different ways we can take care of ourselves - from physical fitness to mental relaxation and even healthy eating. It was a great day.” - Courtney Shron, Science Teacher
Every school has its own culture, constraints and strengths. Wellness in schools will always be a work in progress, shaped by changing needs and new ideas. For us, the most important part has been keeping the focus on people, relationships and the everyday moments that quietly build a culture of care and recognizing that HR can be a powerful partner in that work when it is invited out from behind the paperwork and into the heart of the school.