Teacher's and school's role in the well-being of refugees: how to welkome Ukrainian refugees in host countries

Abstract

Refugees face numerous challenges when they arrive in a new country, including language barriers, cultural differences, and social isolation. In this context, teachers play a crucial role in supporting the well-being of refugee students. This paper explores the different ways in which teachers can support the well-being of refugees, specifically Ukrainian refugees, as the displacement due to the Russian invasion represents the largest human migration in Europe in recent decades. The results show that teachers should provide a safe and supportive learning environment, foster positive relationships with students through socio-emotional learning programs, and offer culturally responsive and trauma-informed support in order to protect refugee students’ well-being. The paper also discusses some of the challenges that teachers may face when working with refugee students and offers some strategies for addressing them. Ultimately, this paper highlights the critical role that teachers play in promoting the well-being and academic success of refugee students and underscores the importance of ongoing support and professional development for educators working in this field.