The news has been replete with fires, hurricanes, floods, natural consequences of climate change and a host of other natural crisis. I continue to read stories of how these issues have impacted regional schools, and their staff, students and families. Schools have become so much more than a place for...
Labor Day – A New Beginning?
For many Americans Labor Day represents the end of their summer. It’s the last days of going to the beach, finishing their vacations and returning home to begin September events. As a holiday Labor Day is at heart a celebration of the hard-won achievements of America's labor movement and a...
How to Adapt Education for All Students
When we think of our educational systems we know that their mode of operation is very predictable. There are standards, testing, classroom structure, schedules and teaching styles that typically attempt to convey information and measure knowledge with grades. However, for many students their learning styles are very different from what...
New Year Beginnings
Many schools are preparing for the year to come. The challenges are significant and the opportunities to impact students are greater than ever. We are still attempting to normalize school experiences for many of our students as they have gone through the transition from COVID’s impact and the emergence from...
Digital Regulation Tools for Students
It is predictable that there has been an emergence of digital tools for regulation for those who are struggling with varied mental health struggles. Finding ways to regulate our brains, reduce our heart rate, calm our anxieties and find some inner peace can be a real help for some of...
Common Good Bargaining
As we wrestle with the struggles our teachers and students are facing, we have begun to recognize that the life conditions of our children have a significant impact on how they act within a classroom. Teachers are more cognizant of that, but still find it difficult to teach students who...
How to Help Struggling Students Become Successful
One of the outcomes of the pandemic is that many students are struggling with compelling mental health issues that have had significantly negative impact on their personal and educational progress. Since our mental health systems and schools were not prepared for these situations there have been behavioral problems that have...
Towards an Early Childhood Education Trauma Certification
We recognize that so much happens in a child’s life and development in the precious first few years. Childcare is such a vital part of many children’s lives since their parents are required to work and need quality childcare. Particularly with the impact of COVID-19, many of our early childhood...
Should All Schools Become Therapeutic Communities?
I remember early in my career at Lakeside having discussions with school administrators about the many needs of their students. They often felt that they were expected to provide social work services when they believed their task should be confined to education and its goals for their students. Students who...
Is Isolation Regulating or Punitive for Students?
Often those of us who are dealing with students who have struggled with their behavior or impulse control ask what the best strategy is for helping them figure out how to handle these difficult moments. In our schools, our detention facilities and in other types of programs our approach to...