Social and Emotional

Presenter: Meghan Pleus

Tentatively Scheduled for December 18, 2023

Recommended for Educators of Grades K-2

How can teachers increase positivity, strengthen classroom culture, and build more excitement for their classrooms? Participants in this session will learn cheers and chants that will boost the confidence of students, strengthen classroom management, and foster stronger relationships with students. They will discuss and develop appropriate classroom rewards to create stronger “buy-in” from students.

Presenters: Kristen Delventhal & Deborah Bajakian

Tentatively Scheduled for January 8, 2024

Recommended for School-Based Counselors of Grades Pre-K-12

This workshop is designed for school professionals who provide school-based counseling support, an opportunity to collaborate in a roundtable discussion identifying how counselors can show up as their best selves in the counseling role. It is natural for emotions to get stirred up when navigating difficult student cases. This workshop will validate that emotional experience while providing tools to identify personal triggers that may arise in the counseling relationship, manage "human" responses, as well as best practices in how to practice self-care in this unique role. 

*Note: This is a 1/2-day session, 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Presenter: Lydia Greco

Tentatively Scheduled for January 5, 2024

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

In this workshop, participants will focus on three specific aspects of wellness in schools: connection, coping and culture. Discussions will cover the following: the importance of establishing relationships and helping students feel emotionally connected, strategies to help students regulate their emotions and cope with various feeling states, and ways to develop positive school culture, including exploration of the benefits of wellness centers/fairs and Zen rooms. 

*Note: This is the second part to “Supporting Wellness” but the sessions do not have to be taken in order.

Presenter: Virginia Senande

Tentatively Scheduled for October 2, 2023

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

In order to create positive learning environments for their students, educators must also stay healthy and optimistic. This workshop will examine practices designed to encourage educator wellness and ultimately improve student learning. Participants will explore 12 brain-based principles to avoid burnout, increase optimism, and support physical well-being from Marcia Tate’s Healthy Teachers, Healthy Classrooms and create action plans for implementation.

Presenter: Deborah Shapiro

Tentatively Scheduled for November 17, 2023

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

Learn what positive psychology is, how it is both different from and complementary to traditional psychology, how to raise your own happiness baseline by intentionally choosing different attitudes and taking different actions, and how to use these materials with students. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn positive psychology fundamentals in order to integrate them with activities and discussions. The session will cover the power of selective attention and beliefs, effective rethinking, gratitude practices, and character strengths and values activities. While this course is open to those who have not previously taken it through the NVCC, those who already have any knowledge of or experience with these principles are invited to join in order to deepen their understanding and practices.

Presenters: Christina Nazarko & Wendy Mackey

Tentatively Scheduled for January 19, 2024

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

Research shows that positive school culture, including an environment that develops positive relationships among students and teachers, increases student achievement. This workshop is an educator-focused professional learning session for those who are interested in building culture, climate and inclusivity in the work setting. Establishing a positive school climate and culture is essential for educator job satisfaction and improving academic outcomes. The team will discover how to build a positive school community that focuses on relationships, discipline, and the representation of all students. There will also be time to explore how to transform the quality, character and personality of the school environment, starting in one’s own classroom.

Presenter: Deborah Shapiro

Tentatively Scheduled for March 27, 2024

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

The principles of positive psychology are about knowing that people have a  choice to see and do things differently, and that a wider perspective and greater sense of well-being lie beyond what they generally perceive and believe. In this workshop, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the principles of positive psychology as tools for living a life of radical responsibility. They will be guided to identify stressors, judgments, and resistance that keep them from looking beyond their current beliefs, and they will learn humbling, introspective practices in order to become more balanced, wise, compassionate, and effective educators.

Presenters: Anna Kuzdraj and Kelly Stevens

Tentatively Scheduled for February 9, 2024

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

In today’s classrooms, teachers face a variety of challenges in supporting students’ well-being. This session, which is based on the book “Supporting Students’ Mental Health: Essentials for Teachers” by Michael Hass and Amy Ardell, will provide teachers with concrete strategies to support the well-being of students in their classrooms. Teachers will learn about the 4Rs framework, which will provide guidance in recognizing and responding to students’ needs. Additionally, concepts such as a relationship-centered classroom, promoting social connections, and cultural responsiveness will be discussed as strategies to build a positive and nurturing environment.