Resiliency In Schools. In other words, resilience emerges from ordinary magic. –Ann Masten, 2009 Resilience is common and… arises from …normal rather

ResiliencyIn Schools

In other words, resilience emerges from ordinary magic.

– Ann Masten, 2009

Resilience is common and… arises from …normal rather than extraordinary human capabilities, relationships, and resources.

The Short List of Resilience Factors for Children andYouth

•Effective parents and caregivers •Connections to other competent and caring adults •Pro-social, competent peers and friends

The Short List

•Problem-solving skills •Self-regulation skills

•Positive beliefs about the self •Beliefs that life has meaning •Spirituality, faith and religious affiliations

The Short List

•Socioeconomic advantages •Effective teachers and schools •Safe and effective communities

• Ordinary Magic, Ann Masten, U of M

• http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/blogs/ordinary-magic

education.state.mn.us 6

Universal Precautions for TRAUMA

• “…each adult working with any child or adolescent (should) presume that the child has been trauma exposed…providing unconditional respect to the child and being careful not to challenge him/her in ways that produce shame and humiliation.

• “Such an approach has no down side, since children who have been exposed to trauma require it, and other, more fortunate children deserve and can also benefit from this fundamentally humanistic commitment.”

– Gordon R. Hodas MD . Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services , February 2006

29

The Brain


It adapts to the environment and to experience.

It is plastic.

Modeling and practice can helpmake new neural pathways for

Stress reliefEmpathy



Modeling and practicing empathy helps to grow neural pathways in the brain; it strengthens relationships.

From The MINDUP Curriculum


• Physical activity in the classroom (at least one PA break each class period)

• Breathing: 3 times a day: beginning, just after lunch, just before the last bell and as needed

• Circle or class meeting to build relationships: everyday/elementary, 3 X’s a week/middle school, 1X a week/high school

• Singing as a group

Stress reduction practices: examples


Restorative Measures

Building community and relationships

Repairing harm



Alternative to Expulsion:Family and Youth Restorative

Conference Program

Alternative to Expulsion:Family and Youth Restorative

Conference Program

Minneapolis Public Schools

Minneapolis Legal Rights Center

Evaluation by the University of Minnesota

Participants

•83 students, 85 parents•67% male, 33% female•55% African American (33% general pop)•12% American Indian (4% General pop)•7% White (33% general pop)•10 % Hispanic (19 % general pop)•15% multi racial•Drugs, Weapons and Assault Violations

Evaluation: student engagement

Evaluation: family engagement

Evaluation findings

• Program builds parent support for learning, increases parent child and parent school communication and parent connection to school

RCP interrupts disengagement

• …from school; returns students to academic progress– Better attendance, grades– Fewer suspensions– Continued credit accrual– Slight increase in GPA– Increase in the number of students on

track to graduate

High participant satisfaction

• “…the program has …respectfully engaged parents as partners to resolve difficult challenges.”

• Even the administrators were pleased: – Glad for disciplinary options– Like use of outside agency that all trusted– Shifted perceptions among school and

family to view each others as allies rather than adversaries.


http://www.k12.wa.us/compassionateschools/heartoflearning.aspx


Gratitude and Kindness


In pairs, list examples of ordinary magic—things that adults can do to foster resilience in their community.

Make a 5-7 word slogan to encourage simple acts that foster resilience.

Personal practices to promote resiliency in my school: What is my list?

Smile at students.Call them by name.

Nancy Riestenberg

Minnesota Department of Education

[email protected]

651-582-8433

•Thanks!


Documents

Resiliency In Schools. In other words, resilience emerges from ordinary magic. –Ann Masten, 2009 Resilience is common and… arises from …normal rather