Cultivating Resilience

In this series, we explore how childhood trauma and its many consequences impact students' well-being, cognition, and academic learning. We’ll hear educators, psychologists, and thought leaders describe current research and state-of-the-art approaches, including practical tips for schools on how to lessen or alleviate trauma’s impact.

48: Meeting All Students Where They Are 04/25/2024

47: Integrating Social and Emotional Learning and Academics 03/07/2024

47: Integrating Social and Emotional Learning and Academics The Takeaway “SEL has five major components: self-awareness, self management, social management – the skills we use to manage relationships — and responsible decision making. There used to be this notion that you had your cognition — your rational side, your frontal brain — and you had your emotional side — you're limbic system — and they just fought for each other for dominance over decisions. But we now know that's not the case. Your emotions are deeply entwined with what you're paying attention to, how you're encoding information and memories. And your cognition is deeply entwined with how you're processing your emotions. And so this idea of the integration of social and emotional, and academic development is not just a catchphrase, it's really reflective of how we grow as human beings, incorporating and taking in cognition, emotion, as well as trying to solve problems.” — David Adams Our guest David Adams is the CEO of The Urban Assembly. He started with the UA in 2014 as the Director of Social-Emotional Learning. In 2021, David received the Champion of Equity Award from the American Consortium for Equity in Education. David sits on the board of CASEL and is an author of The Educator’s Practical Guide to Emotional Intelligence, and a co-author of the textbook, Challenges to Integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs in Organizations. He is a Civil Affairs Officer in the Army Reserve and holds an M.Ed in Educational Psychology from Fordham University. As you listen Given COVID and the trauma that many students carry, how can we best help to heal them? What is social-emotional learning (SEL) and how is it used to support students? What makes human interactions so critical, and why are students having difficulty establishing relationships after COVID-19? How are academics and emotion intertwined to benefit students? How do SEL skills help the school community? Referenced Connect with David /episode/index/show/trauma-in-schools/id/30199428

46: Moving from Visioning to Conversation to Action 02/15/2024

46: Moving from Visioning to Conversation to Action The Takeaway The Michigan Elementary Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA) facilitates conversations among school communities to bring together the vision and voices of many districts. Such communication establishes a plan for a better future while working in the present. Constant discussion helps leaders learn new methods, update their vision, and address the current implications of trauma-informed learning. Our guests Paul Liabenow joined the MEMSPA staff as Executive Director in 2012. He has dedicated his 38 years in education to Michigan’s youth. With degrees from Michigan State University and Central Michigan University, Paul joined Cadillac Area Public Schools where he worked his way through the ranks of teacher, building leader, principal and district superintendent. Today, Paul is working to build a community of educators dedicated to advocating, leading, and learning. He is also currently serving as Treasurer of Michigan Association of After School Partnerships, President of The Center for Education Improvement, President of Core Communications, President of The MEMSPA Foundation, and Board Member of the Michigan Assessment Consortium. Paul is co-author of Visioning Onward providing guidance for school leaders on the visioning process. Michael Domagalski is the current president of the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals association. He is known for founding #MEMSPAchat, which is MEMSPA's weekly twitter chat, occurring each Thursday at 8pm. Mike has served on the MEMSPA Board of Directors since 2015. He is the current principal of St. Clair Middle School within the East China School District in St Clair, Michigan. He serves as the leader of the 5th-8th grade building of 700 students. Along with his administrative responsibilities, Mike serves as president of the East China Education Foundation. Referenced (Trauma-informed Programs and Practices for Schools from the University of Michigan) (supporting student wellness in Michigan) Connect with Paul Connect with Mike /episode/index/show/trauma-in-schools/id/29734753

45: Following a Compassionate, Holistic Approach with Students 01/18/2024

45: Following a Compassionate, Holistic Approach with Students Summary Our discussion explored visioning and building schools through a more holistic, compassionate approach to working with students. The Rainbow Community School in Ashville, NC, was used as a case study. Drs. Renee Owen and Christine Mason led us into trauma-informed visioning, weaving understanding and support into the fabric of schools. We learned to craft visions prioritizing relationships, well-being, and spiritual connections, fostering student growth beyond traditional academic metrics. Our guests Dr. Christine Mason Executive Director, Center for Educational Improvement; Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry Yale University School of Medicine, Program for Recovery and Community Health; Chief Advisor, Childhood-Trauma Learning Collaborative; New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center. Dr. Mason is also the co-author of a number of books, notably Visioning Onward and Compassionate School Practices. Dr. Renee Owen is a researcher, author, consultant and teacher in the fields of adult learning and educational leadership. Dr. Owen is Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Education Leadership at Southern Oregon University. She is also Editor of the Holistic Educational Review, an Open Access Journal. Renee was a school leader for over 20 years at unique public and private schools. As Director at Rainbow Community School in Asheville, NC, Renee was honored as an Ashoka Change Leader for her work in making holistic education more accessible. Dr. Owen’s life-long work is for education to be a vehicle for helping people to thrive. As you listen What is visioning, and how does a vision help with creating a trauma-informed, safe school? What is the main core value needed to focus on a compassionate school model? What was the vision for Rainbow Community School and how was it implemented in the community? Why is a constant discussion with school leaders and students necessary for following the visioning plan? What are some examples of trauma held by students? How do group spaces help address these situations? How does taking risks while feeling safe help with resilience? /episode/index/show/trauma-in-schools/id/29479338

44: Taking Care of Teachers, So They Can Take Care of the Kids 12/14/2023

44: Taking Care of Teachers, So They Can Take Care of the Kids Guest Dr. Debra Gustafson is the Associate Superintendent for the in Juncture City, Kansas. Deb’s primary responsibilities focus on providing leadership and expertise in developing, achieving, and maintaining the district’s educational programs and related services to increase student achievement. SummaryOur conversation focused on the challenges and opportunities of education leadership, particularly in the context of a military community and a high-poverty school district. We discussed the importance of supporting teachers' well-being, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlighted strategies for addressing teacher stress and burnout. We also explored the role of school culture and teacher support in creating a positive and effective learning environment. Additionally, we delved into the flywheel concept for school improvement and discussed education leadership challenges such as teacher shortages and career guidance. Key Takeaways Build and maintain a consistent strategic plan that eliminates adding flavor-of-the-month responsibilities to the faculty’s already considerable workload. this focus provides stability and avoids faculty burnout. Understand that student behavior is a way of communicating. To counter ineffective behaviors, the district promotes training around social and emotional learning, making it as important as traditional academics in supporting student wellbeing. Healing happens in the context of healthy relationships over time. Support staff across the district - nurture the nurturers - to help them best serve their students. Promote healthy school cultures by supporting everyone in the district. Adopt a flywheel mentality. Build momentum by focusing on achieving a few things that get the achievement ball moving. We can't do everything at once, but we can build toward better. Referenced Books by Susan Engel Book by Todd Whitaker /episode/index/show/trauma-in-schools/id/28832338

43: Developing Culturally Sensitive and Responsive Educators 11/16/2023

42: A Servant Leader Approach to Enhancing Well-being in Schools 10/10/2023

41: How a School Leader Creates the Conditions for Healing 09/25/2023

40: Nurturing Student and Educator Well-Being 09/14/2023

39: Reducing the Trauma of Native Youth Through Tribal-Directed Education 08/17/2023

39: Reducing the Trauma of Native Youth Through Tribal-Directed Education Guest Melanie Johnson, Sac and Fox Nation, M.Ed., CPS, is the Director of the Whole Child Initiative for the National Indian Education Association. Melanie has worked with tribal communities and organizations for over 20 years. Melanie is a Certified Prevention Specialist and has worked in the field of substance use and misuse prevention in native communities, focusing primarily on native youth for over 10 years. Melanie also serves as a consultant for the Opioid Response Network Indigenous Communities Workgroup since 2019. Melanie also serves on the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council, is a member of the National American Indian and Alaska Native Prevention TTC, and sits on the Advisory Board for the Compassionate School Leadership Academy for the Center for Educational Improvement. Summary The conversation centers on Melanie Johnson's efforts at the National Indian Education Association to address Native students' educational needs. Through listening sessions, they gather insights, highlighting hope and the call for collective action to support families and draw on ancestral knowledge for healing. Topics include educational sovereignty, preserving cultures, involving others, vocational training, systemic barriers, and unity for future generations. Listen for • the purpose and results of the listening sessions • the imperative for educational sovereignty • the importance of allies to support policy-making at the local and state levels • the value of pathways to post-high school vocational training and higher education • the need for greater historical awareness of the population at large Connect with Melanie Melanie Johnson, M.Ed. Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma Director, Whole Child Initiative National Indian Education Association 1514 P Street, NW, Suite B Washington, DC 20005 https://www.niea.org/ /episode/index/show/trauma-in-schools/id/27729261

38: The Critical Need to Reframe the Discussion – and Training – About Race 07/13/2023

37: The Impact of Poverty and Bias on Student Learning 06/20/2023

37: The Impact of Poverty and Bias on Student Learning Our guest Horacio Sanchez, President and CEO, Resiliency Inc. Horacio Sanchez is a highly sought-after speaker and educational consultant, helping schools learn to apply neuroscience to improve educational outcomes. He presents on diverse topics such as overcoming the impact of poverty, improving school climate, engaging in brain-based instruction, and addressing issues related to implicit bias. He is recognized as one of the nation’s leading authorities on resiliency and applied brain science. Horacio has been a teacher, administrator, clinician, mental health director, and consultant to school districts across the United States. Horacio sits on the True Health Initiative Council of Directors, a coalition of more than 250 world-renowned health experts committed to educating on proven lifestyle principles as medicine. He is the author of the best-selling book, The Education Revolution, which applies brain science to improve instruction, behaviors, and school climate. His new book, The Poverty Problem, explains how education can promote resilience and counter poverty’s impact on brain development and functioning. The Takeaway By understanding the profound effects of poverty-related stress on the brain, acknowledging the power of subconscious biases, and implementing practical strategies for emotional regulation, educators can foster resilience, equity, and optimal learning experiences for vulnerable students. As you listen Poverty-related stress can have a significant impact on the brain, leading to changes in memory, emotional regulation, and decision-making abilities. Societal biases, particularly those related to race, can be subconscious and influence our perceptions and interactions with others. Strategies for regulating emotions in the classroom include pre-planning, ritualizing the environment, and using rituals to help students regulate their systems faster and adjust. It is important to build protective factors and concrete skills for vulnerable students, especially those from poverty or who have experienced racism and bias. Teachers should have an understanding of how the brain learns and establish foundational knowledge for students before moving on to more complex topics. Connect with Horacio Sanchez Twitter - Horacio Sanchez @ResiliencyInc Website - https://resiliencyinc.com/ Referenced /episode/index/show/trauma-in-schools/id/27134715