Restoring the Emotional Health of Teachers and Students

Format

Workshop

First Presenter's Institution

Gifts of Joy

First Presenter’s Email Address

jewelisa@shopgiftsofjoy.com

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Jewelisa Blanks is a respected public speaker and seasoned educator who has devoted her professional life to empowering teachers and students. Jewelisa is a proud graduate of The Ohio State University and spent over seven years serving in the public education sector and over ten years of educational experience, fostering a deep understanding of the field. Leveraging her knowledge and experience, Jewelisa has drawn on cutting-edge emotional health research to affect meaningful change within the education system. Feeling the call for greater impact, Jewelisa transitioned into a full-time speaker, where she continues to collaborate with administrators and district leaders nationwide. She is committed to restoring the whole educator and child by educating teachers on the power of sensory- informed practices and their direct connection to social-emotional learning. Her reach now extends to over 1,500 schools across the United States, and she has trained more than 5,000 educators in her innovative methodologies. Jewelisa's dedication and influence continue to reshape education and student well-being in schools nationwide.

Location

Session Seven

Strand #1

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Strand #2

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Relevance

The proposed session, "Restoring the Emotional Health of Teachers and Students," seamlessly aligns with the "Heart: Social and Emotional Skills" strand by prioritizing an inclusive and supportive school climate. It emphasizes the enhancement of emotional and sensory understanding to bolster both academic resilience and emotional intelligence, key components of this strand. The session equips educators and students with tools to navigate their sensory experiences and emotional responses, fostering empowerment, improved decision-making, and mindful awareness. These comprehensive efforts contribute to a nurturing educational environment, promoting the holistic well-being and academic success of all individuals involved.

Brief Program Description

Many students and educators are unaware of their sensory triggers, leading to struggles in managing emotions and sensory experiences. In this session, we will explore the link between sensory experiences and emotional responses, emphasizing the necessity of Sensory-Informed Practices for Social-Emotional Learning. These practices transition the focus from merely addressing emotional health dysregulation to actively empowering educators and students, enhancing academic performance, fortifying relationships, and boosting overall well-being.

Summary

The “Restore the Emotional Health of Teachers and Students” proposal will be structured as a “modeling method.” This method will allow participants to be hands-on and engaged.

Participants will have the opportunity to see various strategies in action, thus making it easier for them to envision themselves implementing the given strategy in their classrooms and with their students and staff. The attendees will participate in the following classroom connection strategies: “Highs, Lows, and In-Betweens,” “Journal prompts,” “Post-it note thoughts,” and “real thoughts.” These connection strategies will demonstrate to participants the various degrees of vulnerability and the importance of cultivating a safe classroom climate of connection. These fundamental elements are pivotal when building and restoring safe spaces for emotional connections in classrooms and creating an inclusive and trusted classroom community. Participants will also engage in interactive activities and group discussions such as table talks and easy-to-implement sensory exploration activities that they can duplicate with everyday objects and materials in their classrooms. Participants will be able to see the significance of our senses and how our individual experiences can play a significant role in our self-regulation methods. Quick, sensory-friendly activities will allow students and teachers to discuss and explore sensory strategies, such as incorporating sensory breaks and tools daily in the classroom.

Participants will see recent data that illuminates the importance of addressing focus, stress, and anxiety within the classroom setting. Lastly, participants will practice deep breathing techniques and “real thoughts,” representing space within the instructional environment that allows for transparent and impactful conversations around their true thoughts on various exercises before learning the science behind the activities they just practiced.

Evidence

Evidence supports the integration of sensory-informed practices within the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) framework. Research indicates the critical role sensory experiences play in managing emotional responses, thereby underlining the importance of educators and students effectively recognizing and navigating their sensory triggers. References such as "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk offer deep insights into the connections between sensory experiences and emotional regulation. Additionally, organizations like the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) provide a wealth of resources on the positive impacts of SEL, further bolstering the case for a sensory-informed approach to SEL.

Learning Objective 1

Practice three classroom “best practices” that will improve connections and compassion and can be implemented immediately in your classrooms.

Learning Objective 2

Analyze current data on the mental health of teachers and students nationwide.

Learning Objective 3

Identify practical everyday items to use in the classroom to achieve a sensory-based approach to social-emotional development, self-awareness, and self-regulation for educators and students.

Keyword Descriptors

sensory-informed practices, emotional health, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), sensory triggers, emotional responses, self-regulation, academic performance, student and teacher well-being, trauma-informed strategies, classroom environment

Presentation Year

2024

Start Date

3-5-2024 2:15 PM

End Date

3-5-2024 2:45 PM

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Mar 5th, 2:15 PM Mar 5th, 2:45 PM

Restoring the Emotional Health of Teachers and Students

Session Seven

Many students and educators are unaware of their sensory triggers, leading to struggles in managing emotions and sensory experiences. In this session, we will explore the link between sensory experiences and emotional responses, emphasizing the necessity of Sensory-Informed Practices for Social-Emotional Learning. These practices transition the focus from merely addressing emotional health dysregulation to actively empowering educators and students, enhancing academic performance, fortifying relationships, and boosting overall well-being.