What to Do When the Future Feels Scary

SXSW EDU brings educators, researchers, and practitioners together to explore what is shaping teaching and learning today. As climate change and other complex topics increasingly surface in classrooms, educators are navigating not only content, but also the questions and emotions students bring with them. This panel focuses on how teachers can respond in thoughtful, grounded ways that support student wellbeing while keeping learning constructive and connected to real classroom practice. 

Panelists 

• Larissa Dooley, Director of Research and Programs, Climate Mental Health Network 
• Margaret Wang-Aghania, Executive Director and Co-Founder, SubjectToClimate 
• Megan Willig, Program Manager, National Environmental Education Foundation 
• Chris Brooks, Environmental Science Teacher, Clint Small Middle School, Austin, Texas 

What you will take away 

• Practical ways to respond when students raise emotional or uncertain questions related to climate topics 
• Strategies for creating space for reflection without overwhelming students 
• Classroom-tested tools that support both student and teacher wellbeing 
• Approaches that strengthen trust, connection, and engagement in the classroom 

Participants will leave with a teacher-tested toolkit designed for middle school classrooms, along with techniques that can be adapted for use across grade levels. The session offers a grounded, classroom-informed conversation educators can bring back to their own teaching practice.