Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
What Is Positive Mental Health?
Promoting Mental Health
Social Emotional Learning
A Strengths-Based Approach
Resilient, Active, and Flourishing
What About You? Educator Well-Being
CHAPTER 1: Your Role in Student Mental Health
Making Mental Health a Priority
The Teacher-Student Relationship
Mental Health Literacy
Reducing Stigma
The Mental Health Continuum
Teaching and Learning
The Goal of Positive Mental Health
Social-Emotional Learning Outcomes
Creating a Healthy, Caring Environment
A Whole Community Approach
Characteristics of a Healthy, Caring Environment
Strategies and Approaches for the Classroom
Dreikurs and Encouragement
The Power of a Circle
CHAPTER 2: Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Intelligence
The Core Competencies
Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom
A Classroom Scenario
Understanding Emotions
Self-Management or Self-Regulation
Social and Relationship Skills
Responsible Decision-Making
Comprehensive Strategies and Approaches
Roots of Empathy
Circles and Restorative Justice
CHAPTER 3: A Strengths-Based Approach—Celebrating Diversity
Some More Than Others: Celebrating Diversity
Strengths-Based Learning
Recognizing and Building Strengths
Promoting Strengths for Mental Health
The Gift of High General Intelligence
The Gift of High Sensitivity
The Gift of Introversion
The Gift of High Activity
The Gift of High Excitement
Diversity and Well-Being in the Classroom
CHAPTER 4: Resilient, Active, and Flourishing
Achieving Optimal Mental Health
Resiliency
What is Resiliency?
Developing Resiliency
What Makes Us Resilient?
Recognizing Resiliency
A Social-Ecological Perspective
Being Active
Physical Activity and Mental Health
Promoting Physical Activity in Schools
Adopting an Active Lifestyle
Flourishing
What Does It Mean To Be “Flourishing?”
Seligman’s Concept of Well-Being
Flourishing, Mental Health, and Mental Illness
Resilient, Active, and Flourishing in Today’s Classrooms
CHAPTER 5: What About Me? Educator Well-Being
Teacher Well-Being Matters
The Value of Social-Emotional Skills
Resources for Educator SEL
Teacher Resiliency and Personal Competence
Self-Awareness
Managing Emotions
Self-Motivation
Empathy
Managing Relationships
A Caring, Inclusive Professional Environment
Teacher Engagement