Your Self Series

Why Social Emotional Learning? Why Now?

Evan Sheets — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 21:02:56 +0000

Abstract: This presentation reviews research on and introduces the core competencies of social emotional learning, SEL. Today more than ever, students are struggling and are ill-equipped to handle life’s ups and downs. But when students develop SEL skills, they feel more successful, confident and resilient in life and their academics improve. Relevant research on mental illness, as well as connection strategies and the importance of life skills will be reviewed to demonstrate the need for SEL interventions. Participants will learn how to implement a program into existing subjects and the materials needed to do so. Participants will also learn how to recognize SEL skills both within their students and within themselves. When you support these fundamental skills in your students, you increase their intrinsic motivation, resilience and self-regulation skills. This overview of all you really need to know about SEL enables you to bring your best self into the classroom and make a lifelong impression on your students.

The Brain-Based Evolution of Mental Health: What You Need to Know to Keep Schools Safe and Students Flourishing – Paula Prentis

chris — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 21:11:29 +0000

How do you help students to feel safe and mentally healthy? The first part of this presentation explains brain development as it pertains to teaching and embodying mental health. Expecting cognitive skills such as analyzing, planning ahead, and goal-setting without first supporting mental health will stifle education. The second part will look at red flags in the classroom and offer intervention strategies that support the developing self. Throughout the presentation, participants will learn about the Your Self Series free web-based program that meets National Health Standards, the mental health mandates that states are adopting, and aligns with the WSCC Model of school health. When students feel safe, can manage emotions and develop social skills, they thrive in school and life. This presentation explains not only best practices to teach these skills, but provides the free resources to do so.

The Cyber Teen: Neurological, Social and Educational Implications – Chris Parrott

chris — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 21:10:09 +0000

Social media is a driving force in the lives of young teens – it is shaping their identities and reworking their social structures. Teachers today need to be informed about how social media is making its impact, neurologically, socially and educationally. With this understanding we can not only make positive interventions, but we can also begin to connect with students in a language that resonates with them. The more we understand social media, the more we can integrate it into our classrooms with confidence, purpose and wisdom.

Bullying: Who does it, why and what can we do? – Chris Parrott or Paula Prentis

chris — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 21:17:58 +0000

Bullying causes over 160,000 students per day to miss school. What causes it and why have prevention programs failed us? This presentation examines the mindset of a person who bullies and the three essential elements of prevention: capability, culture and connection. While unraveling the dynamics involved in bullying, you will learn about power and control and, ultimately, about the importance of social skills development and about intervention methods that empower rather than punish and shame.

Advisory: Transform an Elusive Idea into a meaningful experience – Paula Prentis

chris — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 21:17:25 +0000

Advisory during middle school is an opportunity for social, emotional and character development while fostering deeper connections among faculty and students. No other period lays this rich foundation for self-awareness and growth during such a malleable stage of life. As such, how are you managing your advisory time? Learn firsthand why this class is critically important to your students and how you can engage and empower them to grow and confidently connect with those around them.

Living in a diverse world: Going beyond tolerance & seeking understanding – Chris Parrott

chris — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 21:16:55 +0000

The U.S. has long been considered “the melting pot” where diverse cultures come together and absorb the best of all worlds. However, that pot seems to be boiling, both here at home and globally. What does living in a diverse culture mean and how does that impact the developing sense of self for today’s struggling teens? How can we help teens to embrace both their unique sense of selves and those of others? How can we create a community that feels safe and understanding? This presentation explores these questions and more, offering tools to help support a teen’s individual growth.

5 Characteristics of Happy children and how to Instill them – Chris Parrott

chris — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 21:15:58 +0000

This presentation highlights that without happiness and self-awareness, academic achievement is not only lessened but lacks meaning. The workshop begins with the importance of self-awareness and continues with concrete examples of how passion, connection, resilience, stress management and gratitude all contribute to increased feelings of happiness, success and overall well-being. Attendees will walk away with five key areas of focus and strategies to support all children in those areas.

Mental Health 101: Recognition and Intervention – Paula Prentis

chris — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 21:14:05 +0000

Mental health is a complex issue, typically presenting itself in the teen years. Why is that? This presentation will break it down by describing the foundation for mental health, from early attachment figures to the supportive interventions we can make today. What builds a sense of self? How are we still shaming our students, a practice that makes matters worse? Learn the basics and shift student mindsets to support and validate the developing self.

Sports & Character: Changing the game – Chris Parrott

chris — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 21:13:14 +0000

Sports are an incredible opportunity to develop some of the finest character traits: responsibility, perseverance, compassion, self-discipline, honesty, cooperation and a strong work ethic. However, our current sports culture actually undermines some of these principles and as a result, these traits are only developed through programs that consciously support and model them. This presentation provides specific strategies to change the current culture and support key character traits on and off the field.

Curious about how the brain works? This presentation will outline brain development and will focus on specific brain structures relevant to student success in and out of the classroom. Brain regions discussed cover the safe self, the emotional self, the social self and the cognitive self. When you understand how brains develop, your can tap into more areas to strengthen students’ overall self-concepts. You’ll feel empowered with information and skills to help students focus and manage their developing selves.

Conquer Anxiety and Build Resilience in Your Students – Paula Prentis

chris — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 21:12:33 +0000

Stress, shame, anxiety and other pervasive negative mindsets are a major cause of many learning and life obstacles. Understanding these mindsets and what contributes to them is the first step. Next is conquering them through connection strategies, a safe classroom and by building resilience. These approaches bolster students’ sense of self and therefore their ability to not only learn but to flourish in and out of the classroom.