45: Following a Compassionate, Holistic Approach with Students

01/18/24 • 56 min

Summary Our discussion explored visioning and building schools through a more holistic, compassionate approach to working with students. The Rainbow Community School in Ashville, NC, was used as a case study. Drs. Renee Owen and Christine Mason led us into trauma-informed visioning, weaving understanding and support into the fabric of schools. We learned to craft visions prioritizing relationships, well-being, and spiritual connections, fostering student growth beyond traditional academic metrics. Our guests Dr. Christine Mason Executive Director, Center for Educational Improvement; Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry Yale University School of Medicine, Program for Recovery and Community Health; Chief Advisor, Childhood-Trauma Learning Collaborative; New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center. Dr. Mason is also the co-author of a number of books, notably Visioning Onward and Compassionate School Practices. Dr. Renee Owen is a researcher, author, consultant and teacher in the fields of adult learning and educational leadership. Dr. Owen is Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Education Leadership at Southern Oregon University. She is also Editor of the Holistic Educational Review, an Open Access Journal. Renee was a school leader for over 20 years at unique public and private schools. As Director at Rainbow Community School in Asheville, NC, Renee was honored as an Ashoka Change Leader for her work in making holistic education more accessible. Dr. Owen’s life-long work is for education to be a vehicle for helping people to thrive. As you listen

What is visioning, and how does a vision help with creating a trauma-informed, safe school?
What is the main core value needed to focus on a compassionate school model?
What was the vision for Rainbow Community School and how was it implemented in the community?
Why is a constant discussion with school leaders and students necessary for following the visioning plan?
What are some examples of trauma held by students? How do group spaces help address these situations?
How does taking risks while feeling safe help with resilience?

What is visioning, and how does a vision help with creating a trauma-informed, safe school?
What is the main core value needed to focus on a compassionate school model?
What was the vision for Rainbow Community School and how was it implemented in the community?
Why is a constant discussion with school leaders and students necessary for following the visioning plan?
What are some examples of trauma held by students? How do group spaces help address these situations?
How does taking risks while feeling safe help with resilience?

Previous Episode

44: Taking Care of Teachers, So They Can Take Care of the Kids

Guest Dr. Debra Gustafson is the Associate Superintendent for the Geary County Unified School District 475 in Juncture City, Kansas. Deb’s primary responsibilities focus on providing leadership and expertise in developing, achieving, and maintaining the district’s educational programs and related services to increase student achievement. SummaryOur conversation focused on the challenges and opportunities of education leadership, particularly in the context of a military community and a high-poverty school district. We discussed the importance of supporting teachers' well-being, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlighted strategies for addressing teacher stress and burnout. We also explored the role of school culture and teacher support in creating a positive and effective learning environment. Additionally, we delved into the flywheel concept for school improvement and discussed education leadership challenges such as teacher shortages and career guidance. Key Takeaways

Build and maintain a consistent strategic plan that eliminates adding flavor-of-the-month responsibilities to the faculty’s already considerable workload. this focus provides stability and avoids faculty burnout.
Understand that student behavior is a way of communicating. To counter ineffective behaviors, the district promotes training around social and emotional learning, making it as important as traditional academics in supporting student wellbeing.
Healing happens in the context of healthy relationships over time. Support staff across the district - nurture the nurturers - to help them best serve their students. Promote healthy school cultures by supporting everyone in the district.
Adopt a flywheel mentality. Build momentum by focusing on achieving a few things that get the achievement ball moving. We can't do everything at once, but we can build toward better.
Referenced Interview with Susan Engel Books by Susan Engel The Intellectual Lives of Children The Hungry Mind Book by Todd Whitaker What Great Principals Do Differently

Next Episode

46: Moving from Visioning to Conversation to Action

The Takeaway

The Michigan Elementary Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA) facilitates conversations among school communities to bring together the vision and voices of many districts. Such communication establishes a plan for a better future while working in the present. Constant discussion helps leaders learn new methods, update their vision, and address the current implications of trauma-informed learning.

Our guests Paul Liabenow joined the MEMSPA staff as Executive Director in 2012. He has dedicated his 38 years in education to Michigan’s youth. With degrees from Michigan State University and Central Michigan University, Paul joined Cadillac Area Public Schools where he worked his way through the ranks of teacher, building leader, principal and district superintendent. Today, Paul is working to build a community of educators dedicated to advocating, leading, and learning. He is also currently serving as Treasurer of Michigan Association of After School Partnerships, President of The Center for Education Improvement, President of Core Communications, President of The MEMSPA Foundation, and Board Member of the Michigan Assessment Consortium. Paul is co-author of Visioning Onward providing guidance for school leaders on the visioning process. Michael Domagalski is the current president of the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals association. He is known for founding #MEMSPAchat, which is MEMSPA's weekly twitter chat, occurring each Thursday at 8pm. Mike has served on the MEMSPA Board of Directors since 2015. He is the current principal of St. Clair Middle School within the East China School District in St Clair, Michigan. He serves as the leader of the 5th-8th grade building of 700 students. Along with his administrative responsibilities, Mike serves as president of the East China Education Foundation. Referenced

The Positivity Project

TIPPS (Trauma-informed Programs and Practices for Schools from the University of Michigan)

Trails (supporting student wellness in Michigan) Connect with Paul

memspa.org

coreleaders.net

Connect with Mike