45: Following a Compassionate, Holistic Approach with Students

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?