How can change be powerful? Kids do it every day without any thought. They are constantly changing. Their bodies, their attitudes, their abilities, and their perceptions – both of the world around them and of themselves. And then, of course, there is the type of change that can be anxiety-provoking, a little scary, and full… Read More

DIRECTIONS – Part 1 Life is full of changes, some big and some small. Can you think of a big change that has happened to you? Describe it below. DIRECTIONS – Part 2 Now think of how you handled that change and create a superhero that can help others make it through similar changes! What… Read More
There are a few things in life that are certain: paying taxes and change. You can’t escape change (or taxes) no matter how hard you try. Change is inevitable, it happens with or without our consent. Change isn’t always a bad thing! As educators, we see change every day with our students and with many… Read More
DIRECTIONS Think of all the things that keep you positive. Fill in your My Positive Pledge below. Print it out and post it in a place where you will see it every day. I pledge to think positively each and every day by… I am thankful for… I am happy when I think about… When… Read More
During hard times and times of trouble, thinking positively might seem impossible. Life is no longer the same for you and your family, and it will likely be different moving forward. Everything has changed, and it’s hard to feel great when there’s uncertainty around us. But during dark times, though it can be difficult to… Read More
Back in my 20s, I read The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. This book changed me. When I was 19, my dad passed away unexpectedly. I had just started college. I struggled with issues of anger, fear, insecurity, and worry. I never considered how my own thoughts might be affecting me. But… Read More
Editor’s note: Learning in the Time of Coronavirus is a multi-part video interview series where, in each episode, we interview folks with a unique perspective on how Covid-19 is affecting education across the world – and how we can keep learning in spite of it. Mei Chen, Instructional Designer, born in China and making her life in… Read More
Editor’s note: Learning in the Time of Coronavirus is a multi-part video interview series where, in each episode, we interview folks with a unique perspective on how Covid-19 is affecting education across the world – and how we can keep learning in spite of it. Dr. Mary Jane Pearson, Chief Academic Officer, led the development of the… Read More
Editor’s note: Learning in the Time of Coronavirus is a multi-part video interview series where, in each episode, we interview folks with a unique perspective on how Covid-19 is affecting education across the world – and how we can keep learning in spite of it. In this episode, Elizabeth Cook, Senior National Advisor of Social-Emotional Health, shares… Read More
In these trying times, you, the administrators, are being tapped to be leaders in new ways – there are new logistical demands as well as pedagogical challenges and constraints around distance learning that your school community is grappling with. Meanwhile, we all as individuals are struggling with the unknowns personally as well as professionally. Introducing… Read More
Here’s our favorite collection of book titles that support resilience-building in students. We’ve organized the list into three age groups: Ages: 4 – 8 (Grades 1 – 5) Ages: 8 – 12 (Grades 6 – 8) Young Adults (Grades 8 – 12) And don’t forget to share the list with your fellow teachers, students, parents,… Read More
DIRECTIONS – Part 1 In the My Responsibilities section in the diagram, write your duties: the things that you must do and are responsible for doing (i.e., schoolwork, chores, etc.). In the My Activities section, write the things you like doing (e.g., riding your bike, making art, playing games, etc.). In the middle of the… Read More
We can start to recognize our feelings and our emotions by feeling them in our body. Can you identify where you feel certain emotions? DIRECTIONS First, color code the emotions in the provided area. Color in where you feel each emotion on your body outline. Draw an arrow to where you feel that emotion and… Read More
DIRECTIONS – Part 1 – Log Your Routine In order to create a well-balanced daily schedule, it is a good idea to first reflect on how you currently are spending your time: Pick a day. Then repeatedly ask yourself, “What am I doing today?” Use a simple log to keep track of the time you… Read More
When we feel stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed, we may say that our life is “out of balance.” And considering the drastic changes we’ve all faced due to the coronavirus – with shelter-in-place for most of us, schools shutting down and going online, working from home or our jobs being affected – we likely feel out… Read More