We’re in the home stretch – the end of the school year is in sight. There’s no sugar coating it, this has been another challenging year. While we hope that next year brings more of the calm and routine that our young adolescents crave, in the meantime how we can use the remaining days of
As you enter the classroom, the lights are dimmed and a dozen students are scattered throughout. Some are folding origami; another is using a wood burning kit to etch a magnificent dragon plaque. Others are reading quietly. You have entered the “Calm room.” It’s one of four rooms that 6th graders at Olmsted Falls Middle
Read More… from Play, Move, Calm, Think: An Advisory Approach with Student Choice at the Center
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It is a sad fact that in any classroom of thirty middle school students, approximately six might be experiencing some form of mental illness. Adolescence is a particularly important time, as physical, social, and emotional changes combined with exposure to risk factors can put young people at risk. Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression,
Read More… from Middle School Mental Health: 6 Steps Educators can Take to Address Student Needs
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The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) recently announced the four exemplary educators from across the country named finalists for the 2022 National Teacher of the Year. Among them are: Autumn Rivera, the 2022 Colorado Teacher of the Year, is a sixth-grade science teacher who encourages students to make a difference now, rather than
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In January 2021, I sat in Starbucks® with a teenager. Jacob was seeking advice about his future and was cautious about the current state of the world. He was keenly aware of the fragile economy, of the volatility of the marketplace, and of the uncertainty leaders face today. When I asked Jacob what his dreams
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It’s never been “easy” to be a teacher. This year is no different, to say the least. I’ve traveled to more than 20 schools since August of 2021, from Fort Myers, Florida to Spokane Washington, and the sentiment is shared. Students are still reeling from being home, being back, being with masks, then without, then
Read More… from The SEL On-Ramp: Easy to Do Strategies to Remove Non-Academic Barriers
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