What People Are Saying

Before working with Kim and learning how to infuse SEL into everything we do, we were missing consistent language and phrasing. Staff that speak the same schoolwide language really sets the stage for students to know what is expected. When they know what's expected, they feel calm - when kids are calm, adults are calm and school feels good again.

By integrating SEL. I've been able to watch my students grow in their ability to understand and manage their emotions, which has brought us closer together and created stronger classroom communities. On a personal level, SEL has helped me develop the emotional intelligence and endurance I need to keep going in this career without burning out. What I love most about this work is that it just makes sense - it ties together all the important aspects of education and life. It empowers both students and teachers by focusing on what it really means to be human. Without these connections, I don't think I'd be able to make the impact I want as a teacher.

Being a new teacher, and getting hired three days before school, was insane. On top of that, I had a kiddo with Autism who I had no idea how to help. My brain was equally as flooded as this student's. Now, I feel very equipped to help those special brains and minds, and I opt to take more challenging kiddos because I know I can give them tools and integrate systems. I feel confident in my teaching but also feel calm every after the longest of days.

Before going through this SEL training, I had empathy for my students who struggled with emotional issues but did not feel like I had enough tools to support them. Now, I feel like I have more tools to not only support them but my entire class. I feel like SEL benefits all students and teaches them skills on how to cope with the things they are feeling.

Social Emotional Learning has always been the very foundation of my teaching philosophy. I used to refer to it as my secret weapon! I always made sure to develop those one-on-one relationships with students and look at the WHOLE student and meet them where they were. NOW, I feel like I have strengthened all my skills, put a better name/description to my strategies, and can help others do the same in their class. It doesn't feel like a secret weapon anymore, it feels like a shared superpower!

Before starting this work with Kim, I was seriously contemplating if teaching was something I still wanted to do. I was feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and unhappy going to work every single day. My biggest regret is not jumping in sooner! I watched the changes in my coworkers the first year Kim worked with our district and I knew that I had to be a part of it, so that next year I signed up and never looked back. Having these systems and strategies has not only helped me as a teacher but it has helped my students as well. Last year was one of my favorite years and I think a lot of it has to do with the culture and community I was able to build because of these systems and tools to help my students in the areas that they were lacking in. I'm forever grateful for Kim and I hope everyone sees the value in what she does!

Before SEL, I felt at a loss on how to help my class regulate emotions but now I feel like I have a strong toolbox and understanding.

Before this work started with Kim, I felt like my patience was shorter and that there was nothing out there to help. I knew I was doing what God meant for me to do, but it wasn't as fun anymore. Now, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. There is more work to do but I feel more content and at peace in my job. I'm not ready to tap out.

Before, I was putting out fires constantly. I wasn't using consistent language to communicate with students and families and staff. Now, I'm calm. My students are calm, my staff is calm. I can see a difference in students around campus. I feel a difference in the staff room. Common language around campus has changed the feeling of our school community. I love it!

Before I started this work (in 2021), I felt alone, unsupported, overwhelmed, hopeless, and like I was failing as a teacher. Now, I feel connected, first to my community with Kim, but now to teachers at my site and within our district who have also embraced this work. I feel supported, and now have the tools and the language to help with almost all of the challenged in my classroom. I feel calm and don't dread coming to work. I love being able to meet kids where they are and knowing I have tools to support them and can teach them to support themselves. I also have tools to support myself and my children at home.

Before I started this work, I felt very anxious going to work, and at a loss. What I was doing simply wasn't working. Now, I feel lighter, calm, and at ease walking into my room because I know that I have a tool for just about every situation at this point to use when I need it. I no longer feel helpless! So grateful for this community.

Honestly, I was so overwhelmed and ready to quit teaching. I still feel unheard at times by the district office. However, I have tools that can help validate me. I also know my colleagues and I will support each other on this "BISON" journey. I have a place to go when I need extra support, training, help, and kindness without judgment.

I feel more capable than I did before to handle challenging behaviors that are thrown my way. I also know there's a group of people who have my back and are like-minded to bounce ideas off of.

Before ~ overwhelmed, drained.

Now ~ equipped, light, joyful.

Before I started this work, I was only two years into teaching. I was feeling burnt out and feeling like I could not even get through teaching a lesson. My class felt chaotic and I felt at a loss after trying every different new incentive. Now, I feel calm. I feel like even when my class feels loud lining up or transitioning, I can go back and teach the social-emotional chain reaction for that particular area. My students know what they need to do in the morning because they have "Get Ready, Do, Done" on a slide show for them in the morning. I feel more connected with my students with our morning greetings. Some of the students that I never thought would hug me are the ones who hug me every day. I love what this work does for my class, my students, and for me! It is magic!

I felt like there were strategies that I was missing when it came to helping my "high flyers". I felt like there should be a way to help these students and I just didn't know how. Now, I feel prepared for how to help my whole classroom run smoothly. I feel like this program, or me is not as helpful for those high flyers as it is for my whole classroom. This program helped me take control of my classroom and was great for Tier I social emotional skills. That being said, having my Tier I social emotional needs met, helps me be more available to help with those high flyers when they need extra attention.

Before beginning my work with Kim, I was overwhelmed, under valued, and at my wits end with behaviors. I just felt heart broken that I was doing everything in my power and nothing was changing. Since working with Kim, I now feel like I have tools in my toolbelt to not only address behaviors, but also teach my students how to handle their emotions. All this helps create a safe, welcoming, and warm classroom. My classroom had becoming an entirely different place!

SEL saved my life.

I have been refreshed with positivity and given tools to respond to my students.

I feel I've dabbled in SEL before starting this program but after being in it and getting to work with my colleagues and Kim, my room is SO much more calm and has totally transformed my classroom.

Before, we expected for students to know how to feel, think, interact, behave, etc. Now, we need to teach all of this rather than expect.

I have loved working with Kim. Her positive, energetic personality along with her strategies are second to non. My classroom is my happy place.

I feel like before this work I was kind of lost in a sea of a lot of different programs but no navigation chart. Now I feel like I have a plan and know WHAT to use, and HOW, WHEN, and WHY to use it.