Teachers & Friends: An Introduction to our Blogs

Along with parents, teachers are the makers of men and women. Such a privilege and responsibility. We want to help.

Teachers are so powerful and their impact lasts a lifetime. “Friends” of teachers are those who help out, in any way, to support the work teachers are doing. These “friends” may teach alongside, come and go from the classroom or remain throughout the day. Sometimes they are “aides” or “assistants” or  “volunteers” and often called “angels” too. These “friends” are vitally important.

No one can do it alone. You do not need (or want) another program. The 5 Needs materials are meant to help, support and aide you, not be a burden or another program.

What if you could get your hands on some easy-to-use guides to support what you are doing and help your students learn about some real-life stuff that impacts them and their friends? No preaching. Some teaching. Some talk time, some guidance and all the freedom you want to use the materials in ways that best help you provide teaching opportunities about life while also incorporating academics.

What if…

• you were given some projects students could connect with and earn extra credit for the related academic skills they are practicing?
• the materials could be used at times to connect home to school and maybe get some parents involved, or grandparents?
• you had a guide for Morning Meetings with ideas to “pull the student in” who may seem to be withdrawn?
• talking about The 5 Needs  could bring significant issues out in the open with you, and the school counselor or social worker could step in and help, so the child would be better able to focus and learn in your class?
• your students could understand The 5 Needs and begin to help themselves and others meet them in healthy ways?
• The 5 Needs could relate to bully type behaviors and empathy and help create change?
• What if students begin to learn the difference between wants and needs?

Would any of this help you?

During my career as a school social worker for 15 years and in a residential treatment center prior to that, I met some amazing, skilled, loving teachers who were looking for support and ideas. I worked closely with some of the best!

Yet, there are the million little things like:

• What to do in a morning meeting that is relevant and short?
• How to get the parents involved?
• What about the one child you know has something going on, but no one knows what.

The 5 Needs can help. The 5 Needs can provide easy materials to help fill some gaps.

What will you find in the blog series:

• Morning Meeting ideas
• Project Based Learning ideas
• How groups can work with The 5 Needs
• Extra projects students can do to earn extra credit
• The ease of using The 5 Needs across settings, for both special education and regular education
• Ways The 5 Needs have been used in High School, Middle School and Elementary classrooms
• Truancy Prevention program ideas that worked
• Ideas for homeschoolers to use The 5 Needs materials as part of the studies at home or in groups
• Job Training programs and “seminar” classes that used The 5 Needs to engage students
• “At risk” students using The 5 Needs connected with them and learned about them in summer camps
• How to allow students to earn trophies or certificates for learning about The 5 Needs and completing work
• Encouragement to take care of YOU. How are YOU meeting YOUR needs?

Thank you for ALL you do! I know it is far more than many people know. You matter more than you may know.

Stay curious about your own needs too.

Also check out the Mental Health posts and post for Moms and families.