2020 created a period of incredible disconnect between so many students, educators, families during the world-wide pandemic. A huge number of students struggled with engagement, motivation and ultimately academic progress. Many teachers struggled to make meaningful connections as students resisted turning on cameras, showing up consistently, engaging in conversations etc. The emotional/psychological toll on kids and adults is still to be discovered, but what is true beyond a doubt is that the social/emotional well-being of all involved must now be paramount to school leaders across the world. For an SEL focus to be effective in schools, it must start with leaders who trust the research, believe that you can't get to Blooms without going through Maslow and that feelings/emotions aren't SOFT skills but HARD science. This session will focus on leadership and provide cutting edge research on how important feelings and emotions are to increase emotional safety, motivation, engagement.
Known as ‘The Connection Coach’, Tara Brown is an award-winning educator, coach, trainer, and international speaker. She holds a master's in Administration and Supervision. Her journey has taken her from rural FL to gang territory in CA and to one of the largest high schools in TN with over 45 countries represented. Her international engagements have included Dubai and Beirut. Tara has worked primarily with under-resourced youth and believes strongly that a major key to student success is the ability to connect and build positive relationships with caring adults. Since leaving the classroom, she has worked in schools across the nation and beyond, providing training, consulting, and keynotes to equip educators to better understand under-resourced students from poverty, toxic stress, and trauma and to help more effectively connect with, reach and teach them. Tara’s passion and humor continue to drive her work to assist in unleashing the potential of youth ONE connection at a time.