Amerischools Academy’s Post

My sister, @_honiee_ , shared a video with me where a mum admonished her child(ren) to not yuck someone else's yum. I thought that was such a powerful yet simple way to teach children the importance of respecting and appreciating differences in preferences, tastes, and opinions. It's a philosophy that's not only valuable at home but at school also. and, in fact, everywhere we interact with people. It also isn't applicable to children alone but comes highly recommended for adults. This is because it encourages empathy and understanding, and creates an environment where everyone feels valued and accepted. We all can promote this beautiful culture of not 'yucking' people's 'yum' by modeling respectful behaviour and language, demonstrating that it is okay to have differing views and it's okay to like different things while still being kind and supportive of one another. And for my people in the education space, we can make this philosophy come alive in our schools by creating inclusive classroom activities that celebrate students' unique talents, interests, and backgrounds; guiding children to consider how their words and actions may impact others; and reinforcing positive behaviour and attitudes that promote respect and kindness towards others, regardless of their preferences or opinions. Embracing the "don't yuck someone else's yum" philosophy in schools and at home can contribute to raising well-rounded, empathetic, and open-minded individuals who are prepared to thrive in a complex, diverse, and ever-changing world. Remember the Golden Rule: treat others as you'd like to be treated. So go on and practise not being the "yuck in someone's yum".

https://lnkd.in/eBy87QkD This is the thing!  This is what has been my passion project this year. Working with an amazing team at the Kindness Collective, we have built a curriculum to support educators, children and their grown-ups in nurturing empathy and compassion. This morning marks a significant step in this endeavor, as we officially introduce our curriculum.  Feels like the perfect week to think about the importance of being Kind. The Curriculum is organized around four pillars that serve as the cornerstones of kindness education: Respect: In a world where diversity thrives, teaching respect becomes paramount. Our curriculum delves into the significance of honoring differences and fostering an environment of mutual respect. Appreciation: Gratitude is a key driver of kindness. Through our curriculum, learners will explore the art of appreciating not only the material things in life but also the intangible, like gestures, time, and efforts. Understanding: Empathy flourishes when one truly understands the experiences and emotions of others. We've designed instructional content to help learners walk in others' shoes, fostering a genuine sense of understanding. Empathy: The pinnacle of our curriculum, empathy, is explored in depth. Learners will learn to identify, comprehend, and respond to the feelings of those around them, enabling them to connect on a deeper level. Our Call to Action: We invite educators, and individuals passionate about cultivating a kinder, more empathetic society to join hands with us. The Kindness Initiative curriculum is a powerful tool that equips learners with essential life skills while fostering a culture of compassion. As we embark on this journey, let's champion respect, appreciation, understanding, and empathy as more than just words – but as actionable principles that shape our interactions and communities. #KindnessCurriculum #EmpathyEducation #RespectAndUnderstanding #ChampioningCompassion

So cool to see Gratitude Letters featured on NBCUniversal Nightly News in such a meaningful way. Last year, teachers at a middle school near Detroit wrote letters of thanks to their students. Now, the students are taking a turn thanking their former elementary school teachers. Proof that a small act can go a long way. By intentionally practicing skills like Gratitude Letter Writing, we can all learn to experience, enhance, and express more gratitude. https://lnkd.in/enYR4fMu Try out this positive intervention for yourself: https://lnkd.in/efV48uwu #Gratitude #SayThanks #PositivePsychology

🌟 Attention All Educators and Caregivers! 🌟 Are you looking for new way of culturally affirming exercises to build connection, community, and self-love? Well, check out "Legacy of Liberation: The Caregiver's Guide to Teaching Black Brilliance" Curriculum. 📚 This curriculum isn't just a collection of lessons; it's a journey into celebrating and nurturing the brilliance that exists within our children. It’s about creating an environment where our kids see their worth, their potential, and their incredible capabilities reflected back at them every day. 🤝 We know the power of community in education. Whether you're a teacher in a bustling school, a leader in a homeschool network, or an education enthusiast, "Legacy of Liberation" is designed to support you in guiding our children towards a future filled with confidence, understanding, and joy in their identity. 🖤 So, let's get the word out! Tag a school, a homeschool program, an educator, or any education leader who would love to bring "Legacy of Liberation" into their world. Let's join hands in ensuring that this valuable guide reaches every corner where it can make a difference. 🔗 Remember, a brighter future starts with the steps we take today. Tag, share, and spread the word. Together, we can turn every educational space into a thriving ground for our children's brilliance. #LegacyOfLiberation #EducationalRevolution #TagToTransform #bisforblackbrilliance

🍎✨ Creating a sense of belonging in our schools is crucial for fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where every student feels valued and connected. From practical strategies to heartwarming success stories, our latest blog post dives deep into how educators can cultivate a culture where no one is left behind, excluded, overlooked, or rendered invisible. 🌈 https://ow.ly/6Uxn50QL1Qq

🌟 Prepping for Random Acts of Kindness Day 🇦🇪🌈 We're 10 days away from February -time flies! We're thinking about next month's classroom activities; we've marked our calendars for Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17th! 📆💖 In the spirit of fostering empathy, compassion, and a positive classroom environment, let's come together to prepare our students for a day filled with heartwarming gestures. Here are a few ideas to infuse kindness into our classrooms: Kindness Calendar: 🗓️ Create a classroom calendar leading up to February 17th. Each day, introduce a simple act of kindness that students can practice, fostering a culture of empathy. Kindness Rocks: 🎨 Set up a "Kindness Rocks" station where students can decorate rocks with uplifting messages. These rocks can then be scattered around the school for others to find. Compliment Exchange: 💬 Organize a compliment exchange where each student draws a classmate's name and writes a sincere compliment. Distribute the compliments on Random Acts of Kindness Day. Classroom Acts of Kindness Board: 📌 Create a bulletin board where students can share acts of kindness they've witnessed or experienced in the classroom. It serves as a visual reminder of the positive impact we can have on one another. Let's make Random Acts of Kindness Day a memorable and impactful experience for our students, shaping not only their academic journey but also their character. Share your own ideas and let's inspire each other! 🌈💬 #RAKDayUAE #KindnessMatters #EducationForEmpathy #UAEEducators #RandomActsOfKindness

Happy Friday! Hope you and your loved ones are well. As I reflected on my experience as both an educator (presenter) and learner (participant) at the FLORIDA RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ASSOCIATION conference, I invite you to read this sharing of my thoughts. Also, I want to thank the amazing team at Florida Restorative Justice Association Operations for modeling restorative values in how they cared for the community. Restorative Reflections: On Cultivating Inclusive Spaces Reflecting on the Florida Restorative Justice Association’s recent conference, I am struck by the profound impact of intentional inclusivity and foresight in cultivating spaces. By adopting a proactive and considerate approach, we can transform environments into havens of belonging and connection. Access: We cultivate spaces that actively dismantle barriers, ensuring a warm welcome and inclusivity for everyone. It's about making sure each individual feels seen and valued from the moment they step into the room. Love: Our actions speak volumes. In the spaces we create, we communicate that each person is important, and their well-being is our top priority. It’s about nurturing a culture where love is a foundational value. Equity: I am committed to fairness and justice, recognizing and valuing the rich diversity of experiences and perspectives that individuals bring to the table. My aim is to level the playing field, ensuring that every voice is heard and respected. For sure, this was evident at the Florida Restorative Justice Conference. Healing: Acknowledging the transformative power of visibility and consideration, we understand that creating a thoughtful space can lead to healing. It’s about recognizing the ripple effect of our actions and the lasting impact they can have on an individual's journey. This is what we did in the session assigned to me. Together we cultivated a space for authentic discourse, connection, healing and joy. Together, let’s be the architects of spaces that exude anticipation, care, and value. Join me in championing a world that is more inclusive, thoughtful, and kind. Be the catalyst for change. #Access #Inclusion #Leadership #Belonging #Thoughtfulness #Authenticity #Love #Equity #Healing #RestorativeJustice #Liberation

I, like so many others, wasn’t aware of the significance of Juneteenth until just five years ago. Growing up in rural Ohio, I was taught a sugar-coated version of history and missed out on the full truth. Juneteenth was never even mentioned. It was as if I only learned the 'abridged' version of history that left out critical chapters. Seeing the impact of misinformation firsthand opened my eyes. Not knowing this important piece of history could have led me to unintentionally hurt those I love. Since then, I’m grateful for the awareness I've gained. Knowledge truly is power. Understanding the diverse experiences and histories of others not only makes us more informed individuals but also better colleagues and professionals. Our growth depends on continuous learning and awareness. How can we know where we’re going if we don’t know where we’ve been? Acknowledging and understanding our history is crucial for moving forward together. I encourage you to discover more this Juneteenth - to seek out the unabridged versions of history to reflect and grow from it. It's essential for all of us to pledge to each other that we will keep learning and honoring significant moments from our past. . . . . #Juneteenth #WorkplaceEquality #InclusiveWorkplace #CorporateEquality

Giving Tuesday, November 28, 2023, is not just another day on the calendar; it is a day that stirs the spirit of giving and encourages people to stretch their time, voice, or resources. Empowering Change: Giving Tuesday empowers individuals and companies to collaborate with Clipped Wing Global Initiative to enhance and expand comprehensive education, early interventions and support services for those we serve. Empowering Scholars: Giving Tuesday unites people from diverse backgrounds and beliefs around a common goal – help all scholars achieve academic success and close the academic achievement gap. Giving Tuesday inspires acts of kindness and generosity by inviting you to be empowered to care deeply about the progress and personal development of every scholar.

It may be Saturday, but every day is a school day, as they say. And today is a special one, it's Random Act of Kindness Day! It's to celebrate the power of small, thoughtful gestures. At school, we have the opportunity to uplift each other through simple acts like writing an appreciative note to a fellow teacher, helping the facilities staff with a task, or inviting support staff to sit together at lunch. 🙌🏻 These moments of connection matter because they boost morale, strengthen relationships, and spread goodwill. Let's commit to performing at least one act of kindness to someone today, even if you're not on the school site. 🤝 Don't think you can't fulfil this task because you're not in school today - there are opportunities to be kind all around us. Let's challenge ourselves to make thoughtful gestures a daily practice, not just something we do once a year. Together, through simple caring acts, we can build a community defined by our compassion and humanity. Be kind. 🫶💙 #awareness #kindness #randomactofkindness #thoughtful #beingkind #spreadlove #bekindalways #actsofkindness #kindnessmatters