McDowell Institute Fostering Wellness through Education

04/30/2023

It’s not over until the final school bell rings! Check out these fun end of the year activities 😀

It's not over until the final school bell rings.

04/05/2023

"Modeling self-regulation with tone of voice helps students learn to regulate their own behavior".

When teachers model self-regulation by using a voice that is calm, neutral, and assertive, they help students feel cared for—and ready to learn.

03/27/2023

Part one of a two-part news story from WCAX that highlights the use and positive impact of PBIS implementation in Vermont schools.

As the pandemic rages on, state leaders and mental health experts stress time and again that our young students are struggling.

03/23/2023

"We’re talking about consistency of cues…that let young people know that the adults in this space are on the same page as the adults in the other space..."

Are your after-school and community partners using the same language and expectations as your building staff? "It’s a process and it takes time"

In Tacoma, a community-wide effort to better serve children is underway, and the first step is common language and shared best practices among the adults.

03/06/2023

6 Ways to Create and Sustain Community
Interviews with teachers reveal the importance of relationship-building and student voice and choice. Here’s how to incorporate these in classroom routines.

Interviews with teachers reveal the importance of relationship-building and student voice and choice. Here’s how to incorporate these in classroom routines.

03/01/2023

From interactive whiteboards to lightning-round interviews, there are many ways to foster peer-to-peer relationships in the classroom. Try one of these five activities.

High school students often work together, but do they really get to know each other? These strategies foster deeper relationships.

02/22/2023

Regularly reflecting on our own teaching practices and classroom events is so valuable, but it can be hard to make time for it. Here are a series of micro self-assessments that take little time to complete:

02/16/2023

A new practice guide from the is available!

"Addressing Confidentiality while Supporting the Social-Emotional-Behavioral Needs of Students within Schools"

PDF: This guide provides recommendations and strategies for addressing confidentiality as teams work together in an interconnected system within schools. It is not intended to provide comprehensive legal guidance, rather to facilitate discussion and decision making to ensure students get the support...

02/07/2023

7 Things Teachers Say to Create a Supportive Classroom

The things teachers say can cut deeply or build a lasting foundation for success. Here are seven teacher-tested expressions to try this year.

02/03/2023

This guide includes lesson plans and resources for discussing race, racism, and other current events with students. Learn about creating supportive classroom environments for constructive conversations and ongoing learning here:

PDF: This guide is intended to increase the frequency and quality of conversations about race, racism, and current events regarding race in K-12 classrooms to support students and provide voice and self-reflection. It includes recommendations and tips for creating statements of support, preparing fo...

11/15/2022

Lifestyle How Teachers Can Practice Self-Care for Long-Term Health & Wellness By Jennifer Gunn Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin Email We all know that healthy eating, sufficient sleep, and work breaks are good practices. But how do we truly break through our habits and start a teacher self-care p...

11/10/2022

Deanna Moerer is presenting at the 2022 PaPBS Implementers Forum

McDowell Institute at Bloomsburg University,
Deanna Moerer, LSW, has been working on various projects, for su***de prevention and trauma
awareness with the McDowell Institute at Bloomsburg University, where she was afforded the
opportunity to become a credentialed instructor in Youth Mental Health First Aid and Question,
Persuade, Refer. Ms. Moerer was the Co-Director of PA’s Safe Schools Healthy
Student’s Partnership grant which endeavored to integrate Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
and Systems of Care. She was also the program Co-Designer/Director/Therapist for Project One-to-Won,
the Pocono Mountain School District’s (PMSD) school–based behavioral health program. Ms. Moerer
also co-designed Project FAME (Family Advocacy for Mental Health in Education), for East Stroudsburg
School District. Before delving into the world of school-based behavioral health, Ms. Moerer was
employed by Youth Advocate Program (YAP) where she worked for 17 years as the Assistant Director,
Trainer, Behavior Specialist, and Mobile Therapist. For the past 15 years, she has written numerous
grants in conjunction with school districts to obtain funding for building multi-tiered systems of support.

https://www.pattan.net/Multi-Tiered-System-of-Support/Behavior/PaPBS-Implementers-Forum-2022