Join Amanda Hampton and guest Karen Eads as they discuss creating trauma-informed classrooms. Karen, a veteran first-grade teacher with 35 years of experience at Norwood Elementary, shares her journey and strategies for fostering a safe, empathetic, and regulated learning environment. Learn about her use of PAX tools, creating emotional safety, and the importance of modeling self-regulation. Discover how addressing emotional and behavioral needs can significantly enhance academic performance and overall well-being in young students.

Karen Eads is a seasoned educator with over 35 years of experience, currently teaching first grade at Norwood Elementary School. As a volleyball coach for Norwood City Schools and a devoted advocate for trauma-informed education, Karen brings a rich background of personal and professional experience to her role. Her journey in education, inspired by her own childhood challenges and positive influences from teachers and coaches, fuels her passion for impacting young lives positively.

• Understanding Trauma-Informed Education: Recognizing and addressing the impacts of adverse childhood experiences on students' learning and behavior.
• Importance of Emotional and Physical Safety: Prioritizing safety and emotional well-being over academics to create a conducive learning environment.
• Implementing PAX Good Behavior Game: Tools and strategies for promoting positive behavior and self-regulation, demonstrating the effectiveness of the PAX system.
• Growth Mindset Approach: Continuous self-improvement as a teacher, being reflective, adaptable, and instilling the same principles in students.
• Teacher and Community Collaboration: The significance of engaging colleagues, parents, and school staff in supporting students' mental health and well-being.

1. "My goals are to help my students feel safe and loved. I show them that they matter as I strive to not only listen to their words but also watch their actions." – Karen Eads
2. "We need to all remember that children's brains grow at a phenomenal rate, but their experiences help shape this growth, whether they're positive or negative." – Karen Eads
3. "A teacher needs to know that students thrive on predictability and routine." – Karen Eads
4. "My students need to know me as a person, as a mom, as a learner, just like they are, as a pet owner, but also as a person who makes mistakes." – Karen Eads
5. "You belong, you matter, and you are loved. And if you work hard to have children truly believe those things, then really you can tackle anything." – Karen Eads

• PAX Good Behavior Game: Official PAX website
• Books Mentioned: "You Matter" (used during the first weeks of school)

To delve deeper into the transformative power of trauma-informed education and learn actionable strategies for your classroom, listen to the full episode and stay tuned for more insightful discussions on School Wellness.

Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at OhioSBCOE.org.

Amanda Hampton of the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence is joined by Ali Masters from Kinder Elementary to discuss the role of a Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator (BHWC). Ali shares insights on educational neuroscience, collective care, and the positive impacts on school culture, including significant decreases in suspensions and behavioral referrals. Discover how initiatives like the SPA room, TAP IN TAP OUT system, and student assistance programs are fostering a supportive environment for students and staff alike. Highlights include boosts in family engagement and actionable data-driven strategies for well-being.

Ali Masters serves as the Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator at Kinder Elementary, a position she has held for the past two years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and a Master’s degree in Special Education. After spending several years in different fields including social work, banking, and insurance, Allie found her calling in education as a paraprofessional and later as an intervention specialist.

• Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordination: Understanding the role and its transformative impact on school culture and student behavior.

• Educational Neuroscience: Strategies for teaching students and staff about brain function and behavior regulation.

• Staff and Collective Care: The importance of creating a supportive and interconnected environment for staff wellness.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Importance of regularly analyzing various forms of data to inform strategies and measure the effectiveness of interventions.

• Family Engagement: Strategies to increase parental involvement and reduce barriers for non-English speaking families.

1. "In order to learn, our nervous systems have to be regulated before we can access our cortex, which is where all the magic happens." - Ali Masters

2. "Trauma-informed care is not just for those who have experienced trauma. I mean, it is for everyone." - Ali Masters

3. "If our staff isn't well, then our kids aren't going to be well." - Ali Masters

4. "The biggest difference is no matter if it's a teacher who's having a problem or a family, everyone feels really, really safe and supported and connected." - Ali Masters

5. "We have to constantly be looking at data and checking all of our referrals and following up with them." - Ali Masters

• Doctor Laurie Desautels: Expert in educational neuroscience.

• Doctor Bruce Perry: Renowned for trauma-informed care research.

• Bessel van der Kolk: Prominent in the trauma research field.

• Stephen Porges: Known for polyvagal theory.

• Dean Burke Harris: Surgeon General of California and advocate for trauma-informed approaches.

Enjoyed this episode? Make sure to listen to the full discussion to explore the transformative work at Kinder Elementary and stay tuned for more insightful conversations in upcoming episodes of "School Wellness".

Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at OhioSBCOE.org.

Amanda Hampton hosts Dr. Cricket Meehan from the Ohio School-based Center of Excellence for Prevention and Early Intervention at Miami University. They discuss the center's essential initiatives, such as the Ohio School Wellness Initiative, which focuses on supporting both students and staff in mental health and well-being. Dr. Meehan highlights the importance of everyone playing a role in fostering a healthy and thriving community and shares insights on the upcoming Ohio School Success Conference. Tune in to learn about innovative models in mental health support tailored for Ohio's schools and communities.

Cricket Meehan is a dedicated mental health professional serving as the Director of the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention and Early Intervention at Miami University. With a storied career that began in 1998, Cricket has been at the forefront of initiatives designed to bolster the well-being of students and staff within Ohio's educational system. Her extensive experience includes the establishment and adaptation of evidence-based programs aimed at creating robust mental health support networks within schools. With a deep personal and professional commitment to improving mental health outcomes, Cricket's leadership continues to make significant strides in the field.

• Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence: Understand the comprehensive role the center plays in enhancing mental health and well-being in Ohio schools through prevention and early intervention strategies.

• Student Assistance Program (SAP) Model: Learn how the SAP model is designed to provide a full continuum of care for students, integrating seamlessly with existing PBIS systems in Ohio schools.

• Staff Wellness Framework: Gain insights into the newly developed framework aimed at improving the health and well-being of school staff, promoting a supportive environment for both teachers and students.

• Ohio School Wellness Initiative: Explore this significant project funded through COVID relief dollars, emphasizing support for both students and staff in the wake of the pandemic.

• Everyone Plays a Role: Discover the inclusive approach of the center, encouraging all members of the community to participate in mental health and well-being initiatives.

1. "Our vision is that all Ohio's children and the adults who support them are healthy and thriving." – Cricket Meehan

2. "We're really talking about supporting the mental health and the well-being of our students and the adults who support them." – Cricket Meehan

3. "The Ohio School Wellness Initiative came about based on the COVID pandemic... Ohio asked us to create a student assistance program model." – Cricket Meehan

4. "Healthy and thriving may look different, but it should feel good to everyone who is at that place." – Cricket Meehan

5. "Everyone plays a role in supporting the mental health and well-being of yourself and our young people." – Cricket Meehan

• Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention and Early Intervention: OhioSBCOE.org

• Ohio School Wellness Initiative: Explore the details of this significant initiative aimed at both students and school staff.

• Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS): Learn more about this state-mandated practice in Ohio schools.

Stay tuned to the School and Wellness Podcast for more conversations that aim to enhance the educational landscape through innovative mental health and well-being initiatives. Listen to the full episode and don’t miss out on these enlightening discussions!

Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at OhioSBCOE.org.