Mental Health – CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS JOURNAL

Navigating the Pathways of Wellness: A Principal’s Perspectives on and Practices for Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, and Healthy Relationships

Posted on November 27, 2020November 27, 2020

Calm, joy, and satisfaction are the overwhelming feelings that I experience while picking the fresh vegetables from our plentiful school garden. Touching and smelling their freshness is refreshing, mouthwatering, and inviting. In addition, walking down the hallways and watching students hop as they practice skip counting or observing teachers as they lead classroom yoga, mindfulness […]

A Truly New School Year: Emotional Wellness during a Pandemic

Posted on October 14, 2020October 15, 2020

If we think back to our childhood days, we probably remember getting something shiny and new for our birthday or Christmas and usually loving it. And sometimes we got a sweater or socks or a book, and maybe we didn’t love that gift so much. Some might say that 2020 has been that less-preferred gift. […]

The Trauma-Informed Educator: Helping Students and Caring for Yourself

Posted on October 14, 2020October 15, 2020

By Kylene Dalton-Koons and Brad VanDenend In schools these days, there is a lot of talk about trauma—and for good reason. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, “One out of every 4 children attending school has been exposed to a traumatic event” (4). Not only does this research support the idea that educators […]

Using a Multi-tiered Approach to Support the Social-Emotional Development of All Students

Posted on October 14, 2020October 15, 2020

One of my favorite courses to teach in my role as a school counselor educator is social-emotional development. It’s not that other areas of development (e.g., academic or career development) are less important when working with children and adolescents but that social-emotional development plays a central role in shaping how we approach living our lives […]

Using Christian Mindfulness to Support Student Thriving in a Pandemic Season

Posted on October 14, 2020October 15, 2020

Mindfulness has emerged as a leading intervention for dealing with stress in the school setting. But the term has become overused and watered down, and it can be difficult to sort through the clutter to understand what mindfulness is and how it fits with a Christian worldview. In fact, many Christians are wary of mindfulness […]

Smiles at Graduation: A Student Assistance Program Story

Posted on October 14, 2020October 15, 2020

The fellowship hall at my church was the last place I expected to be one Sunday night several years ago. We were meeting there instead of in the sanctuary to grieve and process the suicide of a teen in our church family. As a teacher and a school administrator, I had been part of grieving […]

Teacher Self-Care

Posted on October 9, 2015August 4, 2020

Twenty years has elapsed since I was a classroom teacher, but I remember the anticipation and excitement that accompanied the beginning of each school year. I loved preparing my classroom for the onslaught of eighth graders. Each year brought new students, challenges, possibilities, expectations, requirements, and excitement. I imagine the feelings being much the same […]

Understanding and Overcoming Self-Harm

Posted on January 6, 2015October 5, 2018

This article first appeared in the Fall 2014 Shalem Digest, published by the Shalem Mental Health Network. It is reprinted here with permission. There are times when I’m left a little dazed and confused by my kids’ decisions; they seem completely convinced that their choices are appropriate, yet from my vantage point, their decision-making seems […]