How Teachers can move from “What is Wrong with You?!” to “What Happened to You?”
We now know that childhood trauma, including ongoing toxic stress, has a profound impact on brain development and behavior. In fact, behaviors teachers see in the classroom that seem to make no sense may actually be a student’s adaptive responses that show a brain’s capacity for prioritizing survival. When we blame the student or take…
Teachers & Students Need to Rebuild Stamina for this School Year
We may be back to in-person learning, but it’s anything but normal. Masks, social distancing, altered scheduling, and new safety protocols make the days almost unrecognizable from where we were in March 2020. One of the biggest differences? The amount of stamina you may have for this new normal. And it won’t just be you.…
A Strong Start for Teachers
Teachers: we sincerely hope you were able to take some well-deserved time off this summer. The past two school years have asked too much of you. And right around the corner is the beginning of something new…a new classroom of kids, new challenges, new successes. Although we continue to face many unknowns this school year,…
Show Gratitude for Teachers All Year!
If this past year has taught us anything, it gave parents and caregivers insight to how difficult teaching is! We tried our best to step into teachers’ shoes…but we are not teachers. Teachers showed up for their students this year, despite what some described as “trying to build the airplane as we were flying it.”…
Resilience through Transition – An Art Activity for Classrooms or Families
All of us have experienced loss and change. We are tempted not to talk about it, fearing that bringing it up will bring to the surface emotions that are difficult for our students to feel. But in reality, ignoring the grief connected with letting go and change creates a confusing disconnect for children. Being able…