In a time of anxiety and stress, she says this is simply a story about smiles. It’s an initiative Paula Roskamp, a teacher at St. Anne’s Catholic Elementary School in St. Thomas came across known as Faces Behind Masks. A way for students to see the smiles on their teacher’s faces.
This initiative was begun by Rafi Alba in Tel-Aviv Israel, in May, when nurses and doctors had to cover up with masks and shields, which meant their patients couldn’t see their faces clearly.
Roskamp saw this could easily be adapted to her school, one of the largest in the London District Catholic School Board with approximately 80 staff members.
She teamed up with Cory Stuart, president of Impressions Printing in St. Thomas, to produce double-sided photo cards with lanyards to be worn by all school staff.
Roskamp calls it “a bit of a comfort” for all students at the school, especially the younger children and those new to St. Anne’s this year.
A simple story about smiles, says Roskamp, “that has made our staff excited about the kids being able to see our happy faces.”
Roskamp teamed up with Impressions Printing to create double-side photo cards for each of the approximately 80 staffers at the school in time for the return to school Monday.
