Center talks resilience, social-emotional learning at Poston Butte High School

On June 1, Center took part in the Florence Unified School District's (FUSD) first annual Social-Emotional Learning Summer Academy: Creating a Community of Connection and Belonging, offering two sessions. In the morning, Zach Reeves-Blurton and Center affiliate Leslie Rowans presented mindfulness-informed tips and strategies for resilience-building in the classroom; for an afternoon session, Zach shared his talk on mindfulness practice, resilience, and personal identity, The Beauty of Love, Truth and Courage: What Mindfulness Has Taught Me.

Conceptualized by FUSD Director of Social Emotional Learning Jim Bock and his team as a place  to share, learn, and take steps toward systems change in the PK-12 classroom or guidance office, the conference brought together staff and administrators from school districts throughout the greater Phoenix area. It featured keynote presentations by David Adams (M.Ed.,CEO of Urban Assembly and co-author, The Educator's Practical Guide to Emotional Intelligence) and Bruce Perry, (M.D., Ph.D., Principal at Neurosequential Network and co-author of What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing).

With a focus on understanding of student behavior and the importance of connection in building student resilience, the conference highlighted the importance of emotionally-attuned guidance and trauma-informed student development.