I want to support Resilience in my students...what can I do?

I want to support Resilience in my students...what can I do?

Unlock the power of resilience in your classroom by focusing on the transformative concept of joy. In this episode of "Quick Bites," Ginger Lumen from the ESSDACK resilience team explores why cultivating personal joy is the essential first step for educators to effectively support their students. Key Takeaways for Teachers: * Self-Care as a Foundation: Just like putting on an oxygen mask first, educators must find a steady, safe space within themselves to better support their students. * Joy vs. Happiness: Discover why joy is a durable, nervous system experience that can coexist with stress, unlike fleeting moments of happiness. * The Physiology of Joy: Learn how joy regulates the body by deepening breath, steadying heart rates, and making the brain more flexible for learning and behavior. * Widening the Window of Tolerance: Understand how intentional joy builds resilience, strengthening the brain’s ability to bounce back from challenges without becoming overwhelmed. * Practical Classroom Application: Shared laughter, eye contact, and small moments of connection release regulating chemicals like oxytocin and serotonin in both teachers and students. Intentional Practices to Rewire Your Brain: * Notice the Beauty: Take a moment to appreciate small, simple things, like a sunny dandelion or a perfect cup of coffee. * Movement and Music: Use dancing or your favorite music to shift your state and find calm or energy. * The Power of the Pause: When you find a joyful moment, soak it in for at least three seconds to begin rewiring your brain for resilience. Join the conversation: What are the small "golden nuggets" of joy you’ve noticed in your classroom lately? Share your experiences in the comments below! #TeacherWellbeing #ResilienceInEducation #TraumaInformed #SocialEmotionalLearning #JoyInTeaching #EducatorSelfCare

I have a really tough Kinder who just an't stay in the classroom any more. Help!

Are you struggling with a student who has intense behavioral challenges that compromise classroom safety? In this episode of Quick Bites, Ginger Lumen and Eric Nagal from the ESSDACK Resilience Team introduce RISE, an innovative alternative to suspension and expulsion designed specifically for elementary students. RISE stands for: * Relationships * Instruction * Safety * Emotional Well-being Why RISE is Different: * Supports Trauma-Informed Care: Many students struggling in the classroom have experienced trauma or ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) that literally wire their brains differently. RISE addresses these unmet needs rather than just punishing behavior. * Keeps Kids in School: Instead of sending a kindergartener or elementary student home through suspension, RISE provides a designated in-school space where they can stay on track academically while learning vital self-regulation skills. * Skill-Based Learning: Students become "stress detectives" to learn about their brains, their amygdala, and the physical sensations that lead to big emotions like anger or fear. * Family Partnership: The program includes daily communication with families and provides resources like the "Caregivers Compass" so the same strategies can be used at home. * Restorative Integration: RISE uses a leveled system based on restorative practices to slowly reintegrate students back into their original classrooms with the skills they need to succeed. Currently focused on grades K–5, RISE is built on the research of Dr. Ross Greene, Dr. Bruce Perry, and Lori Desautels. It aims to wrap every child in safety, belonging, and dignity. Ready to transform how your school handles behavioral challenges? Click here to learn more about RISE [https://www.essdack.org/rise] Contact the ESSDACK Resilience Team to learn how to bring the RISE program to your district. Subscribe and Like for more strategies to improve your school community!

I want a better idea to help my kids learn from their mistakes because they don't seem to be learning!

Are you tired of seeing students repeat the same mistakes despite constant consequences? Traditional discipline often pushes students away, reinforcing the "shadow message" that they are "bad" rather than showing them they simply made a mistake. In this video, we explore the power of Esteemable Acts—a restorative practice designed to shift a student's identity from "the problem" to a valued, capable member of the classroom community. Instead of using punishment, we focus on providing opportunities for students to build skills, repair harm, and rediscover their intrinsic worth. What You’ll Learn: * The Science of Identity: Why more consequences don't repair a student's self-image or change repeatable behaviors. * Repairing Harm: How to move away from shame and toward accountability through connection. * Practical Examples of Esteemable Acts: * Assisting peers with academic tasks or mentoring younger students. * Restoring damaged classroom spaces alongside a supportive adult. * Contributing to the community through kindness notes or planning class activities. * Preventative Strategies: Using these acts early to build positive neural connections and "fill a student's bucket" before behavioral challenges arise. Key Takeaway for Educators: "It’s the idea of instead of 'I'm bad,' I made a mistake and I can fix it". This empowerment preserves a student's belonging and teaches them essential conflict-resolution skills that many adults still struggle to master. Ready to try this in your classroom? Don't aim to make kids "earn back" their worth—use these strategies to remind them of the worth they’ve always had. Subscribe for more "Quick Bites" on restorative practices and brain-based teaching strategies! Blog post: https://www.essdack.org/tendingblog/when-consequences-dont-seem-to-work-esteemable-acts #RestorativePractices #TeacherTips #ClassroomManagement #StudentWellbeing #EsteemableActs #EducationReform #TraumaInformedTeaching #PositiveDiscipline

I'm always getting after this kid, and he never changes. I'm not sure he will.

Stop the Cycle: How to "Catch Them Doing Right" in Your Classroom. 📩 **Restorative Ripples Newsletter**[https://essdk.me/rr]🌱 **Restorative Practice Coaches**This year-long restorative practices cohort is the next step in your trauma-informed journey.[https://www.essdack.org/rpc] 💡 **What does it take to get kids & families out of poverty?**[https://www.essdack.org/poverty-paradigm] Do you have a student who is constantly in trouble? Are you tired of the endless cycle of negative interactions? In this episode of Quick Bites, Eric and Ginger from the ESSDACK Resilience Team share a transformative strategy for shifting classroom dynamics: Catch Them Doing Right. It is easy to fall into the trap of only speaking to struggling students when they misbehave, but constant negative feedback can make a student feel like they don't belong. In this video, you’ll learn: The Power of Positive Ratios: Why building a "bank" of positive interactions is essential for relationship building and long-term behavior change. Beyond "Following Rules": How to look for specific positive behaviors in four key areas: Academic: Staying on task, taking risks, or asking thoughtful questions. Social-Emotional: Helping others, using kind language, or promoting fairness. Behavioral Habits: Being prepared, following through on responsibilities, and making smooth transitions. Leadership: Including others and respectfully reminding peers of expectations. Building Connectedness: How positive reinforcement improves safety and reduces crises by changing how students view themselves and how their peers view them. Stop focusing on the negative and start feeding the behaviors you want to see. When you call out the good, everyone is listening. Link to the flyer/poster: https://canva.link/9b7x4pj8of519wx

How can I increase the likelihood that my students will meet behavioral expectations each day?

This video explores effective, neuroinformed strategies for educators to help students meet behavioral expectations through positive reinforcement and predictable routines.Summary for TeachersThe Power of Pre-correction: Rather than reacting to misbehavior, pre-correction involves setting students up for success by clearly stating expectations, modeling the desired behavior, and allowing students to practice before a transition or activity.1Neuroinformed Brain Science: Predictable routines and patterned, repetitive activities calm the nervous system and regulate the brain, making students more capable of following directions.2The STEADY Strategy: This structured approach helps maintain classroom order:S: Stop and focus to ensure you have students' attention.3T: Think and provide clear expectations or directions.4E: Engage and move around the room, as teacher presence improves behavior.5A: Act with positive non-verbals and encouragement.6D: Determine the timing (e.g., "we start in 30 seconds").7Y: "Yes!"—Notice and praise students the moment they meet expectations.8Positive Noticing: Educators are encouraged to "notice the heck out of" students when they do something right, even in small increments. This builds skills, strengthens connections, and releases dopamine, which keeps the student's brain in a state ready for learning.-- Get your copy here: https://essdk.me/STEADY