JumpStart Turtle Adoption Day (11/27/23)

It’s also Bavarian Cream Pie Day If I’m going to choose between pie and turtles, I’m going with pie.  Every time.

Big Idea:  The more I listen to people as I’m out and about presenting on SEL and well-being, the more I come to understand that we can’t do this well-being thing, this SEL thing, or this LIFE thing alone.

Even as an introvert who can spend days at home alone without feeling lonely, I still need to feel like I belong.

Belonging is one of the greatest human needs.

And there’s a difference between belonging and fitting in.  Most of our students are struggling to fit in, but in reality, school needs to be a place where they can feel like they belong.  Adults, too.

​In my opinion, if we come together in community and individually take responsibility for the greater good of the group, then everyone benefits, everyone belongs, and everyone thrives.

​This week, try this: Think about the community you have built in your classroom. Do you have a ‘schtick’ that makes your room unique and a place where your students feel special?  Maybe it’s a ritual at the beginning or end of class, maybe it’s a tradition for birthdays, maybe it’s a certain way you do or say things…  This week, try being intentional about making sure everyone belongs.

Quote:  "Community is much more than belonging to something; it's about doing something together that makes belonging matter." (Brian Solis)

Educator Resource:  ParentABLE and ParenTeach:There is so much here:  

1. A curriculum for middle and high school health classes on Parenting/Caregiving that is introduces trauma and has SEL embedded.  It’s also free for this year thanks to a grant, but that is running out soon, so GET INVOLVED! See flyer for more information.
2. They have online teacher training modules that you take through TeachIllinois for 6 PD Hours (ParentABLE) or 1 PD Hour (Parenting Essentials)
3. I interviewed Katharine Bensinger, the CEO for the Teachers’ Classroom podcast where we talked about the curriculum and the need to stop dysfunctional parenting practices that can lead to generational trauma.  Check it out!
   
   Dad Joke:  Dogs can't operate MRI machines.  But catscan.