Whether you call them paraprofessionals, paraeducators, teaching assistants, teacher’s aides, or something else, they have become indispensable in the classroom. While we know we need them, what exactly is the role of paraprofessionals in special education? What goals and outcomes should they work toward? Setting the right goals is the key to getting the most […]
Mental Health in Education Blog
Unpack the Emotional Backpack to Improve Mental Health at School
Our “emotional backpack” holds all sorts of feelings, beliefs, and experiences that impact our mental health at school and capacity to function effectively. Here’s how school staff can manage their own backpack, as well as support students who are so overloaded that they struggle to learn. Students and Staff Carry Emotional Baggage That Hinders Learning […]
Why You Need a Clinician Instead of a School Mental Health Counselor
Every school district is feeling the pain of soaring student mental health issues: declining academic performance, disruptive classroom behavior, and an enormous burden on school staff. Some districts are trying to solve the problem by placing more social workers as mental health counselors in schools. Unfortunately, that isn’t likely to help. A licensed clinician can […]
Emotional Dysregulation: 5 Interventions for Students and Staff
The events of the past few years—the pandemic, shootings, riots, political and ideological battles—have left many of us traumatized. The result is widespread emotional dysregulation, an inability to manage emotional states and responses. And it’s not only children and teens who are experiencing emotional regulation difficulties. It’s the adults, too. Schools across the country are […]
Teacher Appreciation: Ideas to Help Your Staff Feel Valued
Teacher Appreciation Is Needed More Than One Week A Year Teacher Appreciation Week is a wonderful idea. It’s a chance to recognize the contributions of staff members who may be undervalued. But a week of gestures isn’t enough to help you build the confidence and competence of your staff, let alone solve the growing problem […]
Teacher Retention: 3 Ways to Stop the Great Resignation
Teacher retention is becoming a critical challenge for schools across the country, as a growing number of teachers are overburdened and burned out. Teachers are quitting not only their current jobs but their profession. This “great resignation” puts the education of an entire generation of students at risk. Not to mention the careers of an […]