Mesa Public Schools Partners with Grokker to Support Teacher Wellness
Mesa Public Schools has launched a districtwide effort to strengthen staff well-being by partnering with Grokker, a corporate well-being company. The initiative is designed to support more than 9,000 educators, staff, and administrators and to make daily work feel healthier, more connected, and more sustainable.
What Grokker Brings: A Practical, All-in-One Well-Being Platform
Grokker’s platform tackles the challenges many educators face—stress, burnout, and anxiety—while also covering everyday needs like nutrition, sleep, fitness, and financial well-being. The experience is built to help staff feel restored and ready for the classroom, with resources they can use on their own schedule and in the moments that matter.
Building Connection Across a Large, Spread-Out District
"We aimed to implement a well-being solution that not just relieves stress, but also enhances our staff's work-life balance and offers content for fitness, cooking, and mindfulness," says Rocio Sosa, the Employee Benefits Director at Mesa. For a district with schools spread across a wide area, Grokker is also a way to strengthen connections and reinforce a sense of community among colleagues who may not see each other every day.
Why Teacher Well-Being Matters in Arizona
Supporting educators’ well-being is a direct way to reduce attrition. Grokker’s CEO, Lorna Borenstein, points to data showing that 44% of K-12 educators consistently feel burned out. That strain doesn’t stay at the door; it affects classrooms, school culture, and, ultimately, whether talented educators choose to stay.
Where Arizona Stands Today
Arizona faces an especially steep challenge: 13.1% of teachers report plans to leave the profession, a rate above the national attrition average. When turnover rises, students often lose the steady presence of experienced teachers—the very educators who tend to be the most effective in the classroom.
How Grokker Can Help Retain Teachers
According to Grokker, its solutions have been shown to reduce turnover, with claims of as much as a 68% decrease in attrition. The platform offers tailored content—including more than 4,000 visually immersive videos and wellness guides—so educators can find the support that fits their needs, whether that’s a short mindfulness session, a beginner workout, or guidance on financial well-being.
Well-Being and Retention Go Hand in Hand
Borenstein notes a clear pattern: staff with stronger overall wellness are less likely to leave their roles. That connection between well-being and retention is a major reason Mesa Public Schools is investing in proactive support—so educators can thrive personally and professionally, and students can benefit from stability in the classroom.
About Mesa Public Schools
Mesa Unified School District #4 serves more than 64,000 students across 85 schools and programs. The breadth of the district reflects a diverse community and a longstanding commitment to creating supportive environments for both students and staff.
About Grokker
Grokker focuses on improving employee well-being worldwide through engaging, visual content that supports better health outcomes. The company reports meaningful gains in employee engagement, retention, and overall happiness among teams that use its platform.
Grokker’s approach is recognized by prominent employers including Delta Air Lines and Pfizer, underscoring its ability to meet the varied needs of a modern workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the goal of Mesa Public Schools’ partnership with Grokker?
The district’s goal is to strengthen the holistic well-being of more than 9,000 educators, staff, and administrators, improve connection across a geographically spread-out system, and support retention by making daily work healthier and more sustainable.
How does Grokker support educator well-being day to day?
Grokker offers resources for stress, burnout, and anxiety, along with practical content on nutrition, sleep, fitness, and financial well-being. Staff can choose from thousands of videos and guides to fit their schedules and preferences.
Why is teacher well-being especially important in Arizona right now?
Arizona faces higher-than-average attrition, with 13.1% of teachers planning to leave the profession. When paired with the fact that 44% of K-12 educators report feeling burned out regularly, the need to invest in well-being becomes urgent for classroom stability and student learning.
What impact can Grokker have on retention?
Grokker reports that its solutions have been shown to reduce turnover, with claims of up to a 68% decrease in attrition. By giving staff accessible tools for mental, physical, and financial wellness, the platform aims to help more educators stay.
Who can benefit from the Grokker platform?
The platform is designed for all employees—educators, staff, and administrators—helping each person build routines that support their mental, physical, and financial well-being.
