1 09, 2021

Gratitude and Appreciation

2021-09-23T14:00:37-04:00September 1st, 2021|Tags: , |

by Kristina Hulvershorn, Director of Restorative and Humane Learning A rabbit in my neighborhood lost one of her babies this spring.  I’ll spare you the details, but I grew connected and began looking for her, wondering how she is coping.  She carried on and I see her most evenings, continuing to do what she needs to do to survive.  She’s not the only one. My gratitude abounds for all of those around me who keep pushing and keep trying, despite the pain and stress of the world, so I want to take a moment to appreciate those who continue carrying on, despite everything.   Without a break or a pause, parents put on a brave face every day and try to give their children what they need, keeping their fear and pain like a secret.   Teachers, who have the weight of the world on their shoulders with very little support.  They are pulling from wells that may be dry but continue to show up for the children who need them. Even a pandemic couldn’t dampen the light of the activists who continue to speak up for Black Lives, against Line 3, and all of those who continue to stand up for love, compassion, and justice.   Despite relentlessly difficult conditions, health care workers continue to show up for their patients.  Artists who keep creating and keep the rest of us inspired, connected, and sometimes laughing.   Janitors, scientists, writers, grocery store employees,

29 04, 2014

The Mindful Path – Resilience Through Social and Emotional Learning

2021-05-20T17:42:55-04:00April 29th, 2014|Tags: , , , |

Hello again from guest blogger, Lisa Robinson. Last week brought sad news of the death of Marin Sanchez, a 16-year old student in Milford, CT.  She died after being stabbed at school by a fellow student, who supposedly attacked her because she would not go to prom with him.  Although solutions are not simple, preventing such a tragedy from happening again deserves the attention and mindful action of us all. The value of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) came to mind right away for me.  In the video below from January 2014, Trish Shaffer, Coordinator for Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for the Washoe County School District, gave a TEDx talk on the importance of SEL at a TEDx forum in Reno, Nevada. https://youtu.be/LbfpyJfI1ho Ms. Shaffer made many important points, including that in addition to reading, writing, and arithmetic, students need to be taught to manage their emotions and to connect with others.  Amongst other things, this can help children develop the ability to be resilient and effectively get back up again when things don’t go their way. Many young people today are feeling disconnected and angry, and may not understand how to process these challenging feelings or take appropriate action.  If from a young age, children are taught social and emotional skills in school, and have the appropriate opportunities to practice these skills, this can mean so much more than just implementing anti-bullying mandates. And yet, this is just the

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