Mental Health In Schools K-12
Schools are facing unprecedented levels of stress. These essential tools allow educators and students to thrive in the face of challenge.
This course is no longer available.
Explore other coursesCourse overview
Prevent mental health issues in educators and students.
Now more than ever, educators need effective solutions for addressing mental health issues in the classroom.
In this four-week course, you will put strategies into action that will reduce stress, build resilience, and increase mental wellbeing in yourself AND your students.
Who is this course for
01
Caring teachers who want to support student mental health without sacrificing their own.
02
Burnt out educators who need immediate solutions for reducing stress and conflict in the classroom.
03
Educators who want practical tools, not programs. These strategies can be integrated into regular curriculum with no extra prep time.
Course Outcomes
More Positive Classroom Climate
Learn evidence-base strategies for promoting mental health in educators and students to create the optimal learning environment.
Most programs focus on teacher or student mental well-being but a positive classroom environment requires both.
Increased Closeness, Less Conflict with Students
You'll make small shifts to your teaching style that can make a big difference in your relationship quality with students.
Better relationship quality equals less stress, more on-task behaviour, increased learning, and increased happiness for teachers and students alike.
Less Stress, More Focused Attention
You'll practice self-regulation strategies that will help both you and your students stay cool and calm in the face of challenges.
Self-regulation improves mental health while boosting concentration and helping people stay focused on the task at hand.
A Toolbox of Strategies that Work
Each day throughout the course, you'll try a simple research-based practice in your classroom (15-minute time commitment per day).
At the end of the course, you'll have a toolbox full of tried-and-true mental health strategies that work for your own teaching context.
Meet your instructor
DR. JACQUELINE MALONEY
DR. JACQUELINE MALONEY
PhD
Dr. Maloney holds masters and doctoral degrees in Human Development, Learning, and Culture from the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia, ranked 10th in the world. Jacqueline is a postdoctoral fellow at the Human Early Learning Partnership in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia.
Jacqueline's research focuses on promoting mental health and resilience across the lifespan through positive psychology and social and emotional learning. She has two decades of experience as an an English teacher and yoga instructor in school settings, working with young people of all ages. Jacqueline has been offering professional development for preservice and in-service teachers since 2012.
Jacqueline is a parent to an exuberant and curious four-year old and two equally curious cats. Jacqueline is grateful to live and work in the beautiful Pacific Spirit rainforest on Musqueam territory in the Pacific Northwest.
Learn more at mentalhealthpromotion.ca
Course syllabus
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Bonus
- Complete burn out and well-being self-assessments to build awareness of how you are doing before the course starts.
- Skim this article.
- Skim this resource.
- Fill out this survey with a challenging student in mind (optional)
Week 1: Self-Care Activities for Educator Well-being
Week 1: Self-Care Activities for Educator Well-being
Optional Pre-work:
Session 1: Meet and greet with your work group. Try out positive mental health activities and stress reduction strategies to leave you feeling great. You'll create a daily self-care plan that is doable.
Daily Practices: Check your inbox daily for a short practice for you to try.
Q & A #1: We'll debrief and discuss our Week 1 experiences.
Week 2: Supportive Classroom Climate
Week 2: Supportive Classroom Climate
Pre-work: Think of a student you are concerned about. Fill out this worksheet with this student in mind.
Optional Pre-Work: Skim these two articles.
Session 2: Engage in activities that research shows will improve your relationship quality with your students and promote a positive classroom climate.
Daily Practices: Check your inbox daily for a short practice for you to try.
Q & A #2: We'll debrief and discuss our Week 2 experiences.
Week 3: Self-Regulation Strategies
Week 3: Self-Regulation Strategies
Pre-work:
Session 3: You'll learn about stress and the nervous system. We'll practice self-regulation strategies that can be used by you and your students to keep the nervous system balanced so you can focus on teaching and learning.
Daily Practices: Check your inbox daily for a short practice for you to try.
Q & A #3: We'll debrief and discuss our Week 3 experiences.
Week 4: Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Week 4: Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Pre-work: Complete this self-assessment to build self-awareness about your social-emotional skills.
Session 4: Learn about SEL and how it relates to mental health promotion. We'll identify evidence-based SEL activities for students that can be easily integrated into your current curriculum. We'll create an SEL plan to action for your teaching context.
Daily Practices: Check your inbox daily for a short practice for you to try.
Q & A #4: We'll debrief and discuss our course experiences.
Post Workshop (Optional)
Post Workshop (Optional)
Complete this self-assessment about your burn out and well-being levels now that the course has ended.
Complete this student-teacher relationship and well-being questionnaire for the student you focused on throughout the course.
Learning is better with cohorts
Active, not passive
This course focuses on live workshops and hands-on projects
Learn with a cohort of peers
You’ll be learning in public through breakout rooms and an engaged community
Build community and connections
Surround yourself with a supportive group of educators.