- 30 years as a classroom teacher, K-6; PAUSD
- 5 years as an elementary school principal; Ohlone Elementary School
In my years of experience, I have found working in education to be extraordinarily rewarding. My training and experience has helped me realize the importance of addressing the whole child when making educational decisions. My training in social-emotional well-being has also contributed to my ability to develop positive teacher-student relationships and classroom cultures, assuring emotional safety. I believe that providing emotional and physical safety is critical to a student’s ability to learn, grow, and thrive.
I also believe, as suggested in current neuroscience literature, that student minds are most attracted to learning through experiences that are novel, emotion-packed, and/or relevant. Students’ enjoying their learning experience is another important factor that contributes to children’s success, not only during their educational careers, but also throughout their lives. A child’s educational experience should include challenge, relevancy, belief that the adults around them care and see them as capable of learning, and safety. Curriculum should be rich in pretending, curiosity, creativity, make-believe, reflection, problem solving, construction, play, and fun.
I don’t believe, though, that these premises, beliefs, and axioms are mutually exclusive from such initiatives as common core standards, 21st century thinking, rigorous academic programs, and more.
My role at the Center, as it is developing, is to promote emotional and educational health in children, especially as it pertains to their school experience. This will take many different shapes with some of the possibilities including:
- Consulting with parents on the child’s school experience
- Consulting with teachers and school staffs about how to create cultures that are conducive to children thriving
- Consulting with school staffs regarding implementing a quality social-emotional program school-wide
- Leading & Facilitating professional development programs, i.e. brain research and education, social-emotional learning in the classroom & integrated projects
- Leading & Facilitating parent education programs
- Providing opportunities for private and small group tutoring in an alternative manner, using alternative strategies
- Providing groups of students with integrated, project-based experiences
- Facilitating art & play therapeutic experiences for students
- More to be determined in time
I’m excited to be a part of such an innovative and child-centered experience that is offered through the Neuro Wellness Center. It will surely affect children, parents, and entire families for years to come. I look forward to working alongside other professionals, recognized in their own fields that will collectively offer additional perspectives and opportunities for health and growth than what’s presently offered.
My consultant website is:
www.wholechildeducationalservices.com