2025 Summer Symposium

This session explores how culturally responsive SEL practices not only honor student identities but also serve as powerful tools for building resilience. By recognizing the cultural strengths and lived experiences students bring to the classroom, educators can create environments where all learners feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Who holds the key to ensuring our students reach their fullest potential? YOU are the key! This presentation aims to provide educators of all levels with an understanding of what trauma really means, how it may present within our students,  its effects on the brain, and how this knowledge can shift our mindsets as educators in supporting our students. The goal is to equip educators with tools to foster supportive, safe, connected and empathetic learning environments that nurture the social, emotional, and academic development of all students, especially those affected by trauma. It takes just one genuine connection to change the trajectory of someone's life.

Teaching is rewarding but also demanding. Together, we will explore practical strategies to create internal happiness, set healthy boundaries, and maintain a positive mindset. Learn how to harness gratitude, manage stress, and reclaim your energy to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Let’s shift from surviving to thriving—because happy educators create happy classrooms!