“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Below are a variety of activities designed that can help instill empathy, compassion, and generosity. Empathy Building Activities Friendship Bracelet Making Offer students the opportunity to create friendship bracelets to exchange with their classmates. Encourage them to share at least one bracelet with a friend along with reason they are grateful for their friendship. This activity fosters bonds of friendship and promotes the importance of supporting and caring for one another. Perspective-Taking Exercises Encourage students to step ..read more

Responsibility & Accountability Take Responsibility for Mistakes As educators and mentors, it's crucial to lead by example and take ownership of our mistakes. Demonstrating accountability fosters honesty and integrity in the learning environment.  Demonstrate a Growth Mindset Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. By openly acknowledging and learning from our errors, we instill resilience and a growth mindset in students. All too often, students are afraid of the word 'failure.' We must teach students that 'failure' does not have to be seen as negative but rather as an opportunit ..read more

In the dynamic realm of education, where every interaction shapes young minds, establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries cannot be overstated. This blog is crafted specifically for educators, offering insights into setting clear expectations, embracing consistency, and respecting personal boundaries to foster a culture of respect and understanding. Setting Clear Expectations Be Firm But Kind Setting clear expectations is the first step. Being firm in your guidelines is essential while maintaining kindness and understanding. Clear expectations provide a framework for positive behavior. Re ..read more

Physical Wellness: An Essential Component of Learning Physical wellness isn't just about exercise; it's a critical aspect of a student's overall well-being, impacting their ability to learn and succeed. How Physical Activity Impacts Learning Improved Attention & Focus Engaging in physical activities helps students improve their ability to concentrate. Research shows that even short bursts of movement throughout the day can enhance focus during learning Enhanced Memory and Learning Capacity Regular physical activity stimulates the brain, promoting neuroplasticity and enhancing memory retent ..read more

Cultivating Mental & Emotional Well-being with Classroom Coping Skills It is important to not discredit the stress a young person is dealing with in their life. Stressors a student may be facing include but are not limited to social pressures, family conflict, food/housing insecurity, struggles with identity or self-esteem, academic pressures, and life transitions. These stressors can significantly impact a child's well-being. Equipping them with coping mechanisms within the classroom setting can be critical for their overall emotional and mental health.  Coping Skills that Can Be Use ..read more

Social Well-being: A Cornerstone of Student Success A balanced educational environment isn't solely focused on academics; it's about cultivating the complete student experience and providing a secure, supportive space for students to flourish in various aspects of their lives. This blog focuses on simple ways you can build strong and healthy relationships with your students. Develop an Interest in Their Interests Understanding a student's passions goes a long way in establishing a meaningful connection. By showing genuine interest in what excites them, you not only create a bond but also valid ..read more

Wellness Triangle All three components of the wellness triangle: social, mental, and physical are important to overall student well-being. By Leah Berdysz Student well-being is multifaceted and encompasses physical, emotional, and social components. These three areas all link to a student's ability to succeed socially, emotionally, and academically. This blog post explores why prioritizing student well-being is critical for both academic success and personal growth. Backed by research, we'll delve into the critical factors that contribute to a thriving student body. The Significance of Studen ..read more

By Casey Raffle It’s no secret that social media has changed our world in drastic ways. Social media has its benefits, such as the ability to stay connected with others despite physical limitations. At the same time, the type of connection social media provides can seriously warp our view of ourselves and others. Most people tend to display only their best selves—the selves they want to promote—while hiding their struggles and failures, leading us to make false comparisons with our own lives. Copious research has shown that social media can harm our sense of self-worth, and young women are esp ..read more

By Dana Rohal Anyone can listen to what you say, but being heard is totally different. This is something we all hope for but can seldom feel as a person, a friend, a spouse, an employee, and especially an adolescent or teenager. It is easy for others to listen to respond, or easily dismiss what you have to say to meet their own needs or agendas. As a teen, you face so many different influences—family, peers, teachers, coaches—and navigating through this while trying to learn to become your authentic self can feel overwhelming. You are forming opinions about the way you feel based on your envir ..read more

How I Maintain My Confidence Working in a Male-Dominated Field By Olivia Bartulovic I have wanted to be a police officer since I was 11 years old—little ol’ Liv with this big dream! While I was growing up, most people were supportive of my dream. However, I don’t think a lot of people thought I would actually stick with the idea and accomplish it. As I got older, it became more real for those around me, and I began hearing all the negatives that the job could bring: “That’s a horrible schedule; who would want to do that?” “You’ll miss holidays and birthdays? No way, don’t do that!” “It’s just ..read more