Four years ago we committed to hiring more social workers to ensure students with additional needs have the support they deserve. We have also invested in mindfulness training for all of our teachers so they can begin to lead these practices in their classrooms. For example, at KIPP Bloom Primary, teachers lead students in breathing techniques and yoga poses to start their classes. And if you visit us, you might also see a Kindergarten student leading the class in mindfulnessexercises!
I was reaffirmed in my belief that transformation starts with oneself and that by focusing on the health and wellness of ourselves and our staff we are ultimately impacting the health and wellness of our students and families—healthy, emotionally aware adults teach kids how to be whole, feeling, healthy kids.
Superintendent Amy Pouba
This past summer Superintendent Amy Pouba had the opportunity to visit the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence in New Haven to learn more about the RULER program. RULER is an evidence-based approach for integrating social and emotional learning into schools. RULER applies “hard science” to the teaching of what have historically been called “soft skills.” RULER stands for: Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating emotion. Decades of research show that these skills are essential to effective teaching and learning, sound decision making, physical and mental health, and success in school and beyond.
Leaving New Haven, Amy reflected on the impact a program like RULER could have: “I was reaffirmed in my belief that transformation starts with oneself and that by focusing on the health and wellness of ourselves and our staff we are ultimately impacting the health and wellness of our students and families—healthy, emotionally aware adults teach kids how to be whole, feeling, healthy kids.”
You can learn more about the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and the RULER framework here.
Watch their overview video of the mood meter and get the app.