Making Caring Common at HGSE

Teachers’ fears of losing their jobs or being the targets of backlash have intensified, limiting constructive discussions about social issues in the classroom, according to Rand’s 2023 State of the American Teacher Survey. But these conversations matter—without constructive dialogue, students miss out on a well-rounded education that includes essential civic, media literacy, and social, cognitive, and emotional skills that can help them become informed critical thinkers and global citizens. Such discussions can also foster a sense of belonging, trust, and mutual understanding which are critical for wellbeing.  Our toolkit is based on a framework that leads educators through three phases: prepare, build, and engage. This framework can help guide teachers in how they think about bridge-building not only with students, but also with school administrators and caregivers. #bridgbuilders #makingcaringcommon

So you're a school counselor or high school teacher... depending on what the college-going culture at your school is, you may need these simple reminders of rephrasing to reduce achievement pressure. If this rings true to you, we have more ways you can support your students here: https://lnkd.in/g-C_QDub #achievementpressure #resourcesforeducators #makingcaringcommon

Research tells us that gratitude benefits us in multiple ways. The more grateful we are, the more we're satisfied with our lives. When we're grateful, we're in better health — both physically and mentally. We're also more likely to be empathetic to others, and extend more generosity to them.  There can be a hyper-focus on gratitude throughout the month of November (and we're about to head right into it). But we're here to remind you—and your students—that it's an important part of everyday life. Here's a great place to start infusing it into your classroom. #gratitude #teachinggratitude #thankful

We're so excited for everything we'll learn from our new Youth Advisory Board members. Drop a 👏 in the comments and help us welcome them to the team! #youthvoicesmatter #makingcaringcommon #youthadvisoryboard

This one goes out to all the teachers who really see our kids, and love them for exactly who they are. For those times when we're trying so hard to do all the things that we rush through the morning routine to get our kids out the door and can't stop to hear their worries, or their excitement. And then they walk through the door to you, and you hear them. Thank you. #thankateacher #data #research #justlisten

Remember this?!  Nearly a year ago Elmo nearly broke the internet with his seemingly innocuous question. But we've been researching mental health and loneliness for years, and while we were surprised by the outpouring of confessions to Elmo -- mostly because, well, Elmo -- we were not shocked that folks are not feeling OK. Why? Because our latest research suggests that loneliness might be just the tip of the iceberg. Loneliness may be a response to a troubling brew of feelings, often including anxiety, a sense of not mattering in the world and meaninglessness. That means that our public and private efforts to prevent and alleviate loneliness are likely to be far more effective if they focus not just on generating social connections but on addressing these underlying feelings. Read our full report here: https://lnkd.in/eYEARbrX #lonelinessinamerica #makingcaringcommon #research

Are you a high school teacher looking to help your students imagine what their future might look like? Try this exercise. #highschoolteachers #meaningandpurpose #narrativeidentity

We are far more likely to prioritize our own happiness over caring for others, and we’re far more invested in cultivating our children’s happiness than our children’s caring for others – according to our previous research. BUT cultivating caring in children may be the best way to promote their happiness and well-being in the long term. When our children develop the capacity to tune in to and attend meaningfully to others, they’re more likely to have close, healthy relationships, including being good friends, romantic partners, parents, and coworkers. These relationships are one of our most important and durable sources of happiness. They can also be a balm against the epidemic of loneliness our country currently faces. Our latest research on loneliness found the majority of lonely adults feel they aren't part of meaningful groups, don't have enough close friends or family, and that they feel disconnected from others and the world.  It might sound grandiose to try and change the loneliness epidemic by encouraging teachers to work with their students on concern for others. But if you're a teacher, you already know that what you do in class can have ripple effects far beyond your doors... #makingcaringcommon #cultureofcaring #circleofconcern

Now if only there was a way to put this in every kids' backpack before conferences... #parentteacherconferences #schoolfamilypartnership #makingcaringcommon

Our hats are off to our College Admissions Program Director Trisha Ross Anderson who presented on not one but two sessions at NACAC this year! She shared our work to support school counselors with new school profile tools and discussed a new paper on expressing character in admission and the importance of bringing youth development organizations into the conversation. See the paper here: https://lnkd.in/eAYy5dFH #NACAC #advocacy #collegeadmissions #charactermatters