This is the most socially connected generation ever, who experience more isolation than any other group of people in history. A culture of stress and trauma-induced fear fosters anxiety in today’s students, making it difficult to prioritize learning. These emotions cause a chemical response that set off a chain of events, activating the warrior (survival) brain resulting in lashing out, escaping, or withdrawal and internalization. How can students manage the emotional distress of today’s climate in order to be their highest and best self, even when they don’t feel like it? Student Coalition – “Triumph Over Challenge” – Specialized small group work session(s) with select students chosen by administration who may or may not have been exposed to trauma to serve as peer relationship ambassadors in leading cultural transformation. Helping students understand the importance of caring relationships among their peers and building systems of support for one another contributes to a safe and protective school environment. This workshop also provides additional opportunities to learn coping mechanisms and model self-management skills for students who face challenges with self-image and self-regulation.
- Students will develop a basic understanding of how stress impacts the brain.
- Students will develop an understanding about past events and their role in present-day behavioral patterns.
- Students will acquire self-management techniques.
- Foster social and emotional competencies that build capacity for personal responsibility and relationship development.
- Acquire strategies for coping with emotional distress.
- Small group discussions and project-based learning designed to facilitate self-reflection and a sense of social responsibility.