This episode of the Resilient Schools podcast features a panel discussion from the Bridging to Resilience conference, focusing on the importance of trauma-informed leadership in educational settings.

Panelists share their personal definitions of being trauma-informed, emphasizing the significance of seeing individuals as humans first.

This conversation covers the necessity of empathy, vulnerability, and a focus on mitigating harm through safe policies and practices.

Key strategies discussed include advocating for change, understanding the science behind trauma, and creating a supportive school culture.

The panel also explores practical approaches for dealing with disciplinary issues in a trauma-informed manner, distinguishing between discipline and punishment, and the critical role of maintaining safety and fostering learning environments.

00:19 Defining Trauma-Informed Leadership

00:59 Panelist Introductions and Perspectives

02:55 The Importance of Being Trauma-Informed in Education

06:19 Practical Steps Towards Trauma-Informed Practices

08:16 Advocacy and Incremental Change in School Policies

10:52 Personal Reflections and Adjusting Approaches

14:46 Discipline vs. Punishment: A Critical Discussion

20:44 Implementing Restorative Practices and Building Relationships

26:47 Navigating Challenges with Toxic Stress in the Classroom

27:33 Empathy and Fairness: A Classroom Experiment

28:17 Addressing Fear and Regulation in the Classroom

29:01 Involving Parents in the Culture of Regulation

29:20 The Importance of Transparency and Communication

30:45 Strategies for Managing Classroom Disruptions

35:14 Building a Culture of Care: The Role of Emotional Regulation

36:50 Navigating Challenges: Public vs. Private Education

43:48 Understanding and Supporting Aggressive Students

47:10 Creating Safe and Nurturing Environments for All

54:31 Empowering Communities Through Inclusive Planning

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all students. Create and manage time for flex blocks, WIN time, activity periods, RTI, counselor and teacher appointments and much more. And with a built-in accountability tool and reporting features, solve your challenges around getting kids where they need to be and understanding how flex time is spent. Make your flex time work for you. Visit myflexlearning.com/BE to learn more and receive $500 off the first year.

In this episode of the Resilient Schools podcast, recorded live at the Bridging to Resilience Conference 2023, keynote speaker Stacy Nation discusses the importance of cultivating genuine connections in a digitally dominated world.

Stacy, a licensed clinical social worker with a rich background including serving in the Wyoming Army National Guard, emphasizes the need to teach children and teenagers the value of in-person interactions over digital ones.

She shares effective strategies for managing technology use, such as encouraging kids to put away their phones during social gatherings, and fostering deeper conversations beyond superficial digital communication.

Stacy also touches on how educators can manage their own triggers and regulate their nervous system for better classroom management.

00:18 Meet Stacey Nation: A Glimpse into Her Life

01:04 Promoting Real Connections in a Digital World

02:04 Navigating the Challenges of Technology and Connection

04:56 Five Questions to Ask When You're Triggered

07:40 The Journey to Self-Awareness and Control

12:43 Connecting with Stacey Nation and Wrapping Up

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all students. Create and manage time for flex blocks, WIN time, activity periods, RTI, counselor and teacher appointments and much more. And with a built-in accountability tool and reporting features, solve your challenges around getting kids where they need to be and understanding how flex time is spent. Make your flex time work for you. Visit myflexlearning.com/BE to learn more and receive $500 off the first year.

In this episode of the Resilient Schools Podcast, recorded live at the Bridging to Resilience Conference, we hear from Jackie Gilby, who shares her powerful story of overcoming adversity.

Jackie spent 17 years in foster care, experiencing adversity and being stuck in a cycle of poverty and street living. Despite these challenges, Jackie maintained a positive outlook on life, emphasizing the value of experiencing hardships to appreciate the good in life.

She eventually turned her life around, finding sobriety, securing stable housing, and becoming an active participant in her community's efforts to combat poverty. Working at a nonprofit, STEP MC, Jackie now helps others escape poverty by sharing her experiences and the lessons she learned along the way. The conversation touches on the transformative power of facing one's fears, the importance of community support, and the belief in a higher power guiding one's journey toward a better life.

00:10 Jackie's Journey: From Foster Care to Finding Her Path
00:57 The Power of a Positive Mindset Amidst Life's Challenges
02:15 Overcoming Adversity: Jackie's Transition to Sobriety and Stability
03:28 Empowering Others: Jackie's Work with STEP MC to End Poverty
09:42 Building a Better Future: Jackie's Goals and Aspirations
14:05 Reflections on Parenting, Recovery, and Finding Fulfillment
18:20 Jackie's Message of Hope and Courage to Those Struggling

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all students. Create and manage time for flex blocks, WIN time, activity periods, RTI, counselor and teacher appointments and much more. And with a built-in accountability tool and reporting features, solve your challenges around getting kids where they need to be and understanding how flex time is spent. Make your flex time work for you. Visit myflexlearning.com/BE to learn more and receive $500 off the first year.