Upgrade My Classroom

Bullying is an unfortunate reality for many students, and it can have serious effects on their mental health and wellbeing. In this episode I'll explain how we as teachers and youth professionals can help our students build resilience and deal with bullies in a healthier way with a simple three "R" framework.

REFLECTION

We need to ensure that students have some time to sit down, relax and think through the situation, rather than just staying in their heads. This will help them to better understand their own feelings and those of the bully.

REFRAME

We need to help the students to understand that the bully is likely hurting and that their behavior is a result of their own pain. Rather than viewing the bully as an enemy, we need to teach them to one day be able to feel empathetic towards the bully.

RESPONSIBILITY

While it can be hard for a student to accept that they have control over their own feelings, we can use a coaching approach to help them understand that they can take control of the situation. I will warn you that this is a tough pill to swallow. You may have to tread lightly with this one and really have the student come to this conclusion themseleves.

By using these three R's in our toolbox, we can help our students to build resilience and better deal with numerous issues they may face.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

Follow Kevin on social!

Facebook

Instagram

Linked In

Tiktok

Twitter

As education professionals we know that we are, unfortunately, a small part of the success of our students. An overwhelmingly large factor is the influence parents have over their children. The routines, the values and the guidelines a parent instills at home all have a huge impact on the social development of our students. So today is going to be a short breakdown of the four stages of parenting.

As parents, it's important to be aware of the four stages of parenting, namely the Commander, the Coach, the Counselor, and the Consultant. Each stage requires a different approach, and being aware of the stage you are in can help you nurture your children better.

In the Commander stage, when children are toddlers, it's important to create an environment that is successful and rewarding. A positive environment will help them learn what to do and what not to do, and reinforce the behavior you want to see. When children are in elementary school, the coaching stage begins. This is when you instill values and a mindset in them, and show them their place in the world. It's important to reward positive behavior and hold true to what you say. The counseling stage is when teenagers start to explore the world on their own. As a counselor, it's important to ask open-ended questions and let them come to their own conclusions without giving them the answers. This helps them build their emotional intelligence and reflect on their feelings. Finally, the consultant stage is when children are grown and have moved out of the house. At this stage, they may ask for advice or help, and it's your job to be there!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

Follow Kevin on social!

Facebook

Instagram

Linked In

Tiktok

Twitter

Reaching teens can be tough. I found someone who has figured out how to do it…very well! Today on the show I sit down with Dr. Matt Bellace and learn how he uses comedy to present scientific evidence regarding substance abuse.

We discuss his background as a clinical psychologist and the convergence of his comedy career, all at the same time while pursuing his PhD. When he works with students, Matt focuses on helping teens find natural highs as an alternative to drug and alcohol abuse. Many high school students are struggling with issues of identity, self-esteem and feeling disconnected from the people around them which often leads them to make bad decisions and substance abuse. When asked what advice he would give teachers to help them better spot and assist students who are struggling mentally and emotionally, Matt suggested that teachers try their best to explain the process of dissapointment and negative emotions. These are emotions that we are experiencing. Now we get to decide what to do with them.

Dr. Matt Bellace has a PhD in clinical psychology with a subspecialty in clinical neuropsychology, the study of the brain and behavior. His clinical training included working with patients at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Philadelphia), treating learning disorders in a pediatric neuropsychology private practice in suburban Philadelphia and performing cognitive behavioral therapy at Drexel University's Student Counseling Center. Matt completed his clinical internship working with traumatic brain and spinal cord injury patients at The Mount Sinai Medical in New York City.

As a stand-up comedian, Matt Bellace has performed at clubs and colleges across the country, including Caroline's on Broadway and Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. During the pandemic, his Zoom comedy shows brought laughter to quarantined audiences to audiences of all ages. Matt's credits include truTV's hit show The World's Dumbest, the 2005 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, National Public Radio and The New York Times.

Matt's professional speaking career began in 1995 following the success of a student group he founded at Bucknell University. Matt's speaking work began in high schools and colleges, but quickly grew to national conferences, professional organizations and the military. Matt had spoken in forty seven states and across Canada, annually appearing in front of over a hundred thousand people a year. Although the pandemic halted live events, it has ushered in a new opportunity for reaching an even more diverse audience through virtual programs

To learn more about Matt and take a look at the books he's written, head over to https://www.mattbellace.com/

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

Follow Kevin on social!

Facebook

Instagram

Linked In

Tiktok

Twitter

At-risk youth are students who need help avoiding the school to prison pipeline. This is what our guest Michy Morillo shares with us today on the show.

Michy E. Morillo is an author, youth coach, and acclaimed keynote speaker with lived experience navigating the juvenile justice system. As a former juvenile delinquent and an expelled high school student, Michy went on to have a successful 20 year career in graphic design.

Little did she know, being repeatedly incarcerated between the ages of 14 and 18 and being expelled were uniquely designed for her life's purpose. Following the blueprint that she now shares, she is reaching back to bring others along. As a spirited entrepreneur and aspiring philanthropist, Michy is committed to being a transformative force in the lives of youth, serving as a conduit to the skills and tools that nurture growth.

Morillo shared her insights on the difference between motivation and inspiration, the impact of our social circle, growth vs. fixed mindset, and perspective. Some of these strategies are so crucial for at-risk youth and Michy does a fantastic job at coaching these teens through some of the hardest times imaginable. She also gave me some homework. Take a listen to today's episode to find out!

You can learn more about Michy and her work at celldreamer.com

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

Follow Kevin on social!

Facebook

Instagram

Linked In

Tiktok

Twitter

Social media has become a hotly debated topic, and as teachers and youth coaches, it's important to discuss the pros and cons it provides.

On the one hand, social media gives teens instant and broad access to their peers and interests, plus the opportunity to make real money. It also offers access to amazing education resources.

On the other hand, social media can be a highlight reel, leading to feelings of inadequacy, and it has made cyberbullying more pervasive. Additionally, algorithms can manipulate how our brains process what we're seeing, creating a type of addiction. Social media isn't going anywhere. We need to teach teens how to take control.

We need to make them aware of the physiological effects it has on them and encourage them to step back and assess if they're actually enjoying the content. We should also explain how they can manipulate the algorithm to their benefit and remind them that they have the power to take a break from social media if they need to.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

Follow Kevin on social!

Facebook

Instagram

Linked In

Tiktok

Twitter

How we redefine stress can literally make stress a non issue! When it comes to our students dealing with the stress and anxiety that comes with things like college admissions, making the school team, or dealing with bullies, it's important that we teach students to redefine the stress by changing it's meaning.It's all about reframing things in a positive way and helping students realize that it's not the end of the world if they don't make the team or don't fit in with everyone socially.

Take trying out for a school team or the musical, for example. Instead of taking failure as meaning they're not good enough, help them reframe it to "I'm not good enough yet." This will help them get past the disappointment and keep pushing forward.

Bullying is another big issue that students have to deal with. Help them understand that the bully is the one who's broken and that they should have empathy and pity for them. It'll help them build resilience and inner strength.

To help students really believe in their ability to redefine stress, simply ask questions and guide them instead of telling them what to do. Show them examples from your own life of how you've changed the meaning of experiences and how it's helped you cope with stress.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

Follow Kevin on social!

Facebook

Instagram

Linked In

Tiktok

Twitter

A CTE teacher has a lot on their plate.

For that matter, teachers in general have a lot on their plate! But when it comes to multiple prep teachers, there are other organizational challenges that are much more obvious. I can somewhat relate from my previous career as a music teacher. At the end of the day, the more organized and systematic we can be, the better off we can be for our kids.

Today on the show we hear from a true productivity expert! Khristen Massic works with multi-prep teachers to create systems to simplify their job and allow them to focus on sharing their talents as an educator. Khristen has a wide ranging career from CTE teacher, Assistant Principal and Productivity Coach and course creator.

We have a fantastic conversation that begins with the return from Covid while Khristen was an active AP. We then dig into some of the organizational strategies that multi prep teachers such as CTE teachers really need to adopt. We touch on some issues that students are facing regarding self worth and then Khristen shares a story that TRULY...blows my mind!

You can find more about Khristen over on her website, and definitely say hello on instagram!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

Follow Kevin on social!

Facebook

Instagram

Linked In

Tiktok

Twitter

No matter how old you are, I think we can all relate to not feeling worthy at certain times. The feelings of not being good enough, strong enough or smart enough are somewhat natural emotions that are designed to keep us in place which ultimately is designed to keep us safe. The problem is we are no longer hiding from lions trying to eat us!

Today I brought on someone who really knows how to teach students to recognize their worth and value as a human being. Kate Garnes is a professional youth speaker who is committed to teaching teens that changing the way you speak to yourself will change the world around you. Negative self talk is one of the biggest issues that teens can face today and Kate does a great job unpacking this issue.

During our conversation we touched on the big decisions that students are faced with after high school. Kate mentioned that students today feel like they have to hold themselves to such high expectations in order to please everyone. We then touched on self worth and how teens are telling themselves such negative stories which keeps them stuck. The conversation continues with the issues of social media and students attaching their self worth to outside influences. Finally, we dive into the "excuses" students can make in order to keep them in their comfort zone instead of being vulnerable to failure.

If you want to learn more about Kate, head over her website!

Or you can order her book "Mix Tape" on Amazon!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

Follow Kevin on social!

Facebook

Instagram

Linked In

Tiktok

Twitter

Teacher Burnout is a real problem and has been on the rise for the past few years. The pandemic has certainly expedited this issue. So today on the show we learn how to prioritize our own well-being as teachers and education professionals.

Our guest, Molly Rasanen, is a holistic coach who specializes in energy healing. Molly helps us understand how our bodies hold trauma and how this can affect our emotions and reactions in the classroom. She explains how we can gain control of our nervous systems and how we can be intentional in the way we approach our well-being. We talk about numerous tactical strategies you can begin today such as mantras, breathing exercises, diet, sleep and morning routines! Most importantly, Molly shares her excitement around normalizing these practices and being able to see future generations of children having a better understanding of who they are and how they can heal themselves from the inside out!

Molly Rasanen is a former ER Nurse turned Energy Healer & Holistic Life Coach. She specializes in helping humans learn and integrate the tools and techniques needed in order to go on the deep inward journey of healing & self discovery. Molly is not only an RN but a certified holistic nurse coach, reiki healer, and 500 hour trained yoga teacher with a passion for teaching the tools and modalities that allowed her the space to holistically heal her own anxiety, ptsd, and lifelong severe asthma from the inside out. She is on a mission to help spread the message that your body and minds were created to heal and that you are your own best healer. Molly hopes to one day be a piece of the puzzle that finally helps to integrate alternative & holistic modalities of healing into the western medical model as a form of education & preventative health care.

You can find her on instagram @mollyrasanen to follow her work, subscribe to her mailing list, or grab a free call to see if coaching is a good fit for you!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

Follow Kevin on social!

Facebook

Instagram

Linked In

Tiktok

Twitter

To teach students perspective of time is tricky. How can you teach students perspective when they have so little life experience to actually "have" perspective?

On this episode, I discuss the importance of understanding our relationship with time, and how this is especially important for high school students. Time can be a double-edged sword, allowing us to be productive and feel like we're making progress, but at the same time it can make us feel anxious and even a bit fearful...as if we're running out of...time!

The development of the human brain is not finished until our mid-to-late 20s, and this is especially relevant for high school students who are in the beginning stages of puberty, or who have yet to enter it. During this time, students are dealing with a lot of stress, both from within themselves and from the pressures of making decisions about their future. It's important to teach them strategies to leverage time and to build routines that will help them navigate the four years of high school.

However, teaching strategies and routines may not always be enough. To really make an emotional connection with students, it's important to actually SHOW perspective.

Tim Urban, a blogger and TED Talk speaker, has created a 90-year calendar to illustrate this point. Basically, he placed a box that represents every week of someone's 90 year life.

1. No one is granted any specific amount of time
2. There's really not that many boxes!
3. We've already used quite a few!

Check out today's episode to get some ideas to teach students perspective of time in your classroom.

Also you definitely should check out Tim's Ted Talk!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arj7oStGLkU

https://waitbutwhy.com/2014/05/life-weeks.html

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

Follow Kevin on social!

Facebook

Instagram

Linked In

Tiktok

Twitter