A world where all children are thriving? Where we can honor everyone's individual gifts?
As a school counselor and psychotherapist I have witnessed hundreds of children moving through the school system. I have taught critical thinking, social emotional learning and coping skills to children in Pre-School through 12th grade. I am well aware that mental health and understanding trauma in children is under-sourced in school funding. If you have not learned about the Adverse Childhood Experience study that came out, it speaks highly to how we have this window of time where children are in our presence and we can help them grow. We can help them know that no matter what is happening at home, they matter and we are here to help them know how much they mean to us and to the world. I believe it is this nurturing and attention that got lost along the way. The teachers I know became teachers to help children grow.
I have listened deeply to teachers say there is just not enough time for social and emotional learning and to principals who try to manage space for it. And counselors who think they are there to help, end up in as a "special" and teaching or making schedules and have agendas full of "other" duties. I would watch as the lights in the eyes of the children dim and the sense overwhelm in the teachers grow everyday.
Our children need us to see them and honor their gifts, strengths and abilities. We know that when they grow up and get a job, it is not the testing people will ask about- it is "tell me about your strengths"...How can they know unless we are paying attention and helping nurture them.
Our counselors and teachers are the community builders, leaders and the principals are the guru's. The language, the practicing, the understanding...it all needs to be happening on all levels. We are in this together.
The time is now...We just have to do it differently. Our children and our world depend on it. We have to bring awareness + community back to our schools and I want to help you.
How can I help?
I can teach. I can speak. I want to walk beside you, with you.
I can help teachers + principals with their own trauma history.
I can help your school build a trauma aware community.
I can help you bring in a new school language that goes far beyond character counts or second step philosophies. It comes back to the leaders of the school embodying the teachings- to be actual representatives of knowing themselves deeply.
I can help you rethink mental health and attachment styles in your classrooms and schools.
I can help you deeply understand at all of our cores: we want to be seen, heard, and loved. We all need a witness and someone who believes in us.
Want to talk more?
I would love to brainstorm with you. You can email me and we will find a time to connect. Thank you for being curious and looking for a solution.
How have I brought schools together?
Trained in Kagan Cooperative Learning (Wholeheartedly supporting the power of working together.)
Built a school wide Mentorship Program- Pairing each High School student with an Elementary student
Paired Senior and 5th grade girls in mentorship with Girls Who Run and we ran a 5k together
Taught Second Step Curriculum
Taught Conscious DisciplineCurriculum
Lead therapeutic groups with Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens + 7 Habits of Happy Kids
Held space for lunch bunch where children got to speak freely about their lives + learn the skill of listening to others
Diversity + Inclusion
Spent years in the Urban Kansas City School District where there are over 62 different languages spoken within the district.
Worked with Migrant + Immigrant Families to secure services, support, and safety.
Created diversity focused lesson plans, programs, and presented may of "Teaching Tolerance" lessons on Diversity to K-12 students. Examples such as the Stereotyping of Halloween, The Misconception of Beauty, and Diversity of Families.
Lead groups of girls with the Salvaging Sisterhood Curriculum
Taught Media Awareness and Critical thinking to 5-12th grades
Led National Honor Society students to connect with under-sourced communities.