Bullying is a serious problem in our schools, having damaging effects on students' mental health, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Implement these 7 best practices to cultivate a safe, inclusive, bully-free culture for your students.

Every student does better when families and schools partner effectively. But for children with difficult behaviors, 4 fundamental elements take on heightened importance.

This blog is assurance that just a little bit of movement makes a big difference. Discover 5 easy ways for educators to add more physical activity to their workday and in turn, inspire students to also move more.

Instead of hitting the panic button the night before winter break ends, try these teacher tips and tricks for a smooth return to the classroom and your students.

Students who have experienced trauma and constant change often have vulnerable nervous systems and emotional dysregulation, Here are 5 tips to help educators advocate for students in the foster care system.

The 2023 Iowa BEST Summit is in the books! Dr. Allison Bruhn shares three key takeaways, leading with "a culture of caring requires everybody."

Workplaces can be like families and neighbors in that we typically do not get to pick who is a part of these groups. Often these relationships work marvelously and sometimes they can be difficult, stressful, and even contentious. Regardless, we have to manage work relationships. When relationships have tension in them, emotions can get heated, and tempers can flare. […]

Practicing self-compassion can bring you inner peace and boost your overall well-being. Discover 5 ways to infuse self-compassion into your life and how it can power up your teaching, connectedness, and growth mindset.

As a K-12 school administrator, we feel the same anticipation and excitement as our staff and students for a new school year. However, the exhilaration of back-to-school season also comes with an added dose of responsibility, apprehension, and anxiety. Start the school year off right with these 5 wellness-driven strategies to cultivate positive social-emotional-behavioral health in both yourself and those you lead.

Mindful breathing isn't just one more thing for your to-do list. It is proven to support your overall health and mental well-being. Here are 4 simple mindful breathing exercises every educator should try to reduce stress and boost productivity.

Summer is often a much-anticipated time for educators to recharge and rejuvenate. But sometimes it can feel like there is a lot of pressure to squeeze in as many activities and appointments as possible. So how can you truly take care of your mental health and well-being without being overwhelmed? Check out these 4 tips to achieve a summer of wellness.

April is World Autism Month! To create an understanding and inclusive classroom environment, it is important to consider the various supports needed by students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Specifically, autistic children have unique needs when it comes to the area of mental health. One important thing to consider is that there are two common […]

Have you ever looked at a student or asked them a simple question and it just set them off? Then for the next week, you replay the interaction in your head a million times, trying to figure out what it was you said or did that made them angry? The answer, while deep and hidden from […]

Tips for teachers to make mindfulness in the classroom seem a little more doable. Learn 8 step-by-step activities for different grade levels.

Studies have shown the profound impact of creativity on students’ mental health and well-being. So, how can educators better facilitate the exploration and development of students’ capacity for imagination? Here are 3 ways to help you cultivate creativity in your K-12 classroom.

As an educator, winter break can be both a time of worry for your students and a much needed time off for yourself. Tevin Middleton, NCC shares 5 strategies to help your students ease into the long break (and back into the school routine) while still prioritizing your own wellness.

Step off the hamster wheel and find those precious moments for self-care. Dr. Kelly Vinquist shares 8 tips to help educators find their happy and be present.

Building relationships with students is central to helping them feel like they belong. Whether you use formal or informal strategies to get to know your students, the ultimate goal is to make them feel like they matter. Allison Bruhn, Ph.D. shares 5 ways educators can create a positive classroom climate and foster a sense of belonging.

As an educator, you are worried about the mental health and well-being of your students and possibly your own. How can you feel more confident in your ability to help students? Learn five ways to better care for yourself and your students while working and living in our current world.

Discover why the Iowa BEST Summit is a can't-miss professional event for K-12 school, district, and AEA administrators. Brad Niebling, Ph.D. shares his own experience at last's year event, and how the Summit will help support your students' social-emotional-behavioral health, build your network, boost your energy, and enhance your leadership skills.

For teachers, back-to-school season is particularly poignant. We will likely feel a range of emotions – all of which are natural and valid. Dr. Alissa Doobay shares 5 wellness tips to assist educators in mindfully shifting their focus back to the academic year.