Sticky Hope

36 | Book Episode: Conversations About Being Left Out

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 14:58:00 +0000

Sometimes it is difficult for students to know how to get along with one another. They can exclude each other or be unkind. Sometimes a student makes a mistake and it's difficult to know how to forgive them and still be friends with them. We share two wordless picture books that will help navigate how to respond to these situations.

Takeaways

Wordless picture books can be powerful tools for teaching empathy.
Books like I Walk With Vanessa and I Forgive Alex help students understand social dynamics.
Narrating social situations allows students to reflect on their own experiences.
Empathy and understanding are crucial in creating a supportive classroom environment.
Teachers can use these books to address real-life problems students face.
Students can learn to predict and problem-solve social situations through storytelling.
The books encourage students to think about their roles in social interactions.
Using wordless books helps students of all ages engage with complex social issues.

Links

I Walk With Vanessa: LINK to YouTube read aloud video.
I Forgive Alex: LINK to YouTube read aloud video.
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35 | A Simple Framework to Respond to Tricky Behaviors

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 16:57:00 +0000

Tricky behaviors happen in all classrooms. When we have a plan for how to respond, we are able to relax and focus our attention on the the act of teaching. We share a simple framework to respond to tricky behaviors. It is called the OWL Framework and it helps us stay rooted in connecting to students and keeping our attention on learning. This is Sticky Hope.

Takeaways

Tricky behavior is common in classrooms and requires proactive strategies.
The OWL framework helps manage behavior: Open to connection, Work to de-escalate, Return to learning.
Connection over correction fosters a supportive learning environment.
Teachers' biases can impact their interactions with students.
Proximity can help de-escalate situations.
Practicing regulation tools with students prepares them for moments of dysregulation.
Returning to learning quickly after de-escalation is crucial.
It's important to maintain a calm and kind demeanor in challenging situations.
The OWL framework is a practical tool for managing classroom behavior.

Download the O.W.L. Framework by clicking on this link: https://stickyhope.com/35-a-simple-framework-to-respond-to-tricky-behaviors/

34 | Remember Who You Are

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 09:25:00 +0000

As the newness of the school year wears off, we want to remember who we are, before we go on a quest to determine what to do with the tricky behaviors that are beginning to show up in our classrooms. When we know and commit to being the best versions of ourselves as teachers, then we can respond to tricky behaviors in compassionate and helpful ways. Timeline 00:00 Back to School Strategies 02:30 Who Do You Want to Be as a Teacher? 05:40 Consistency in Teaching Identity 11:54 Building Community and Classroom Vision 13:54 Takeaways

33 | Consistency Matters: A "What's Happening" Sheet

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 09:03:00 +0000

Sometimes it feels like we're doing all of the things, but until we pay close enough attention to track behaviors we can be fooled by our brains. There are many empty promises when it comes to navigating tricky behaviors, but we know that trauma doesn't play fair. A first step to discovering how to nourish heatlhy regulation is to get an accurate understanding of the tricky behaviors happening in our classrooms. Use the "What's Happening?" sheet as a simple and quick baseline to begin a conversation about how to navigate the tricky behaviors popping up in all of our classrooms.

Timeline

00:00 Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle
02:47 Understanding Tricky Behaviors in Children
05:38 The Impact of Trauma on Behavior
08:12 Identifying Dysregulation in Children
10:42 Tracking Behaviors for Better Understanding
13:11 Takeaways

Takeaways

Understanding tricky behaviors requires a deeper analysis.
Trauma impacts behavior and requires thoughtful approaches.
Identifying dysregulation is key to supporting children.
Tracking behaviors helps demystify children's actions.
Teachers should not blame themselves for children's behaviors.
Patterns in behavior can guide effective interventions.
Slowing down to observe can lead to better insights.

32 | Identity + Habits of Learners

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:13:00 +0000

We take some time to consider how to nourish the identity of a learner within students, and then what habits we can encourage. We consider creative and tactile ways to help students accept the identity of a learner as part of a classroom vision or mission.

Timeline

00:00 Building Identities in Education
03:05 The Power of Self-Identity
05:34 Creating a Classroom Community
08:07 Art as a Tool for Identity
10:49 Navigating Tricky Behaviors with Compassion
12:23 Takeaways

Takeaways

Building identities in children is crucial for their learning.
Self-identity influences actions and habits.
Educators must reflect on their own identities.
Positive narratives can shift student perceptions.
Art can serve as a powerful tool for identity building.
Classroom charters help establish community values.
Compassion is key in addressing challenging behaviors.
Students' identities are shaped by peer perceptions.
Creating tangible reminders can reinforce classroom identity.
Navigating tricky behaviors is part of the teaching landscape.

Links

Choice Literacy Article: "Creating a Classroom Emotional Intelligence Charter" by Mandy Robek
NPR article: "Feeling Artsy? Here's How Making Art Helps Your Brain" by Malaka Gharib
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31 | Be In Awe

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

This season we are focused on the power of connection to nourish healthy regulation. We discuss the importance of awe -- that feeling of seeing a beautiful sunrise or when someone overcomes a trial -- and the way awe can help us stay grounded and calm. We also share ways to create a sense of belonging in our classroom communities.

Timeline

00:00 The Joy of Teaching and Belonging
03:00 Finding Awe in Challenging Moments
05:29 The Power of Perseverance and Resilience
08:08 Celebrating Passion and Curiosity in the Classroom
10:47 Creating a Belonging Bubble
13:31 Mindset Shifts for Positive Classroom Experiences
16:06 The Importance of an Awe Journal
17:02 Takeaways

Takeaways

Awe in learning can inspire both teachers and students.
Recognizing positive behaviors can shift our perspective on challenging moments.
Celebrating students' passions can enhance classroom dynamics.
Belonging is crucial for students, especially those from difficult backgrounds.
Teachers should strive to be enamored by their students' uniqueness.
Creating a culture of celebration can improve classroom behavior.
Reflection on awe can help teachers maintain a positive outlook.
An awe journal can serve as a reminder of joyful moments in teaching.

30 | Three (Unlikely) Books to Start the Year with Stephanie Affinito (Part 2)

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 12:06:00 +0000

This season we are focused on connection first and the power of connection to nourish healthy regulation. One way to build connections is through books, so we decided to include a few book-ish episodes in our line up. Stephanie Affinito, host of the KidLit Love podcast offers three thoughtful and unexpected books to start the school year (and return to again and again).

Timeline

00:00. Book Recommendations for Educators
12:47 Exploring New Books for the Classroom
15:56. The Importance of Read-Alouds

Takeaways

Restorative reading and writing practices can enhance well-being.
New books can invigorate classroom communities.
Reading and writing can be tools for healing.
Community-building books are vital for the start of the school year.
Teachers should explore diverse literature for their classrooms.
Engaging with authors can deepen connections to books.
Restorative practices can transform teaching experiences.

Links

Stephanie Affinito's website: A Lit Life
Sticky Hope Notes with helpful resources: Episode Link

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Book Recommendations for Educators
(00:12:47) - Exploring New Books for the Classroom
(00:15:58) - he Importance of Read-Alouds

29 | The Power of Restorative Reading with Stephanie Affinito (Part 1)

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 08:28:00 +0000

We are happy to welcome Stephanie Affinito to the podcast. Stephanie is a beautiful soul who wants to share the power of literacy to nourish healthy regulation. We discuss the power of reading and writing to help all of us -- educators and students -- to be healthy.

LINKS

Stephanie Affinito's website: A Lit Life

28 | School's Starting! Are You Ready?

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 08:14:00 +0000

This season we are focused on the power of connection to nourish healthy regulation. Episode 28 considers the mindsets we, as educators, can establish to have the stamina to teach. This is Sticky Hope.

Links

Make sure to follow us on Instagram! @sticky.hope
Here is an article from Cleveland Health about the impact of snoozing on your body.
If you don't get our Sticky Hope Notes in your inbox, sign up here!

Takeaways

Becca is transitioning to special education this year.
Emotional wellness is crucial for educators.
Establishing routines helps manage stress.
Avoiding the snooze button can improve mornings.
Teachers should prioritize eating during the school day.
Handwritten notes can enhance relationships.
Connection is a key theme for the new school year.
Intentional practices support teacher well-being.
Listeners are encouraged to share their routines.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Welcome Back to Season Two
(00:02:53) - Becca's New Role in Special Education
(00:05:23) - The Importance of Emotional Wellness in Education
(00:07:49) - Establishing Healthy Routines for the School Year
(00:10:29) - Creating Connections in the Classroom
(00:13:09) - Introducing the Theme: Connection First
(00:14:58) - Takeaways

27 | Taking Breaks

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 07:52:00 +0000

Taking breaks and having space is an important part of nourishing healthy regulation. We're talking about finding our own rhythms for breaks and how to help students discover the power of breaks.

26 | Navigating Challenging Behaviors with Students and Families

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 08:18:00 +0000

The journey of developing a tool to help respond to behavior continues with more reflection and revisions. We've developed a student-facing behavior sheet and a parent-facing behavior sheet. It's exciting the way we can support students' regulation from many different angles.

Timeline

03:17 Tracking Progress and Consistency in Behavior Management
06:23 Real Classroom Applications and Teacher Insights
09:09 Engaging Students in Self-Reflection
12:29 Collaboration with Parents for Better Outcomes
15:18 Utilizing AI for Accessibility in Communication
18:27 Celebrating Small Wins and Long-Term Strategies

Key Takeaways

Tracking consistency in behavior management is crucial for educators.
Real classroom applications provide valuable insights into student behavior.
Engaging students in self-reflection can enhance their understanding of their own needs.
Parent involvement is essential for effective behavior management.
AI can be a helpful tool in creating accessible educational resources.
Collaboration between teachers and parents can lead to better support for students.
Celebrating small wins is important in the journey of behavior management.
Consistency in applying strategies leads to noticeable improvements over time.
Understanding individual student needs is key to effective teaching.

25 | Still Thinking

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 08:53:00 +0000

We're presenting in Chicago at the joint NCTE/NCTM conference. Our session is with Jodie Bailey about a strategy called still thinking. We talk about this complex thinking strategy and share a variety of ways to use it.

Links

Choice Literacy Article: "Still Thinking: An Opportunity to Pause and Think Deeply" by Jodie Bailey
Jodie Bailey on LinkedIn
The Big Red Lollipop by Rukasana Kahn

Timeline

00:00 NCTE/NCTM Joint Conference in Chicago
01:18 Exploring the Concept of 'Still Thinking'
04:45 Applying 'Still Thinking' in Early Childhood Literacy
09:04 Engagement and Time in Learning
14:55 Navigating 'No Thinking' in the Classroom

Key Takeaways

Still Thinking is a valuable strategy for all ages.
Engagement in learning can be fostered through movement.
Extended discussions can deepen understanding in young learners.
It's important to honor individual thinking processes.
Teaching strategies should be transferable across subjects.
Complex reasoning can be introduced at an early age.
Classroom dynamics can be navigated with intentionality.
Students benefit from having time to process their thoughts.
Curiosity and exploration are key in educational practices.

24 | Honoring All Families

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 08:42:00 +0000

There are many different kinds of families and people who invest in students. How can we honor different families and their traditions of celebrating?

Timeline

00:00 Celebrating Diverse Family Structures
02:54 Honoring All Caregivers
05:39 Nourishing Webs of Support
08:45 Equity in Celebrations and Acknowledgments

Key Takeaways

It's critical to represent family structures in education.
Celebrations should include all caregivers, not just biological parents.
Children need to feel seen and valued in their unique family situations.
Webs of support are essential for children's well-being.
Celebrating holidays should be inclusive and equitable.
Conversations about family dynamics are necessary in education.
It's important to reflect on the impact of our celebrations.
Recognizing differences helps foster a sense of belonging.
Engagement should focus on who supports the child, not just parents.

23 Teachers Make a Difference for Kids in Foster Care

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 08:53:00 +0000

Inspired by Foster Care Awareness Month, we share our experiences as foster parents and offer insights for educators who are working with children in care.

22 Gratitude Changes Us on the Inside

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 19 May 2025 08:39:00 +0000

A simple and powerful practice is the discipline of gratitude. Often Becca closes the day with a gratitude circle. We share the way this practice fosters emotional regulation, empathy, and community among students.

Links Mentioned

Sticky Hope Kit

Timeline

00:00 The Power of Gratitude Circles

03:23 Transformative Effects of Gratitude on Children

06:27 Gratitude as a Lifelong Practice

09:34 Neuroscience Behind Gratitude

12:18 Implementing Gratitude in Daily Routines

Key Takeaways

Gratitude circles help students process emotions and build community.
Consistent gratitude practices lead to positive behavioral changes.
Gratitude can shift children's focus from negative to positive experiences.
The neuroscience of gratitude shows it alters brain chemistry.
Gratitude fosters empathy and emotional regulation in children.
Implementing gratitude routines can lower stress for educators.
Gratitude circles can evolve from tangible to abstract appreciation.
Practicing gratitude can enhance overall classroom dynamics.
Gratitude is a lifelong practice that benefits all ages.
Engaging in gratitude can improve mental health and well-being.

21 A Toolbox of Regulation Strategies

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 12 May 2025 08:29:00 +0000

We're talking about the importance of emotional awareness and different kinds of regulation strategies. We consider how to teach children to understand their emotions and develop coping strategies, emphasizing the role of emotional intelligence in the classroom.

Links Mentioned

Permission to Feel by Mark Brackett

Mood Meter by Mark Brackett

Sticky Hope Kit

20 Hope is Powered by Data

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 05 May 2025 08:27:00 +0000

Hope is powered by data is a mantra we've been exploring. We think about using data to track behaviors. Let's build habits and skills to navigate the world in healthy ways.

Download the Roots to Response Behavior Sheet.

19 Labels Aren't the Only Way

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 08:43:00 +0000

As educators, we see lots of tricky behaviors, and it's natural to want to find labels to help us make sense of the way kids are behaving. In episode 19, we talk about helping students develop habits for positive behaviors without labeling students in negative ways. This is Sticky Hope.

Links Mentioned

Roots to Response Behavior Sheet

Timeline

00:00 Understanding Student Behavior: A Teacher's Journey
03:48 Navigating Antisocial Behaviors in the Classroom
06:47 The Importance of Labels: Understanding vs. Judging
09:39 Developing Replacement Behaviors for Positive Interaction
12:45 Tools for Advocacy: Behavior and Skills Tracking
16:10 New Chapter

Key Takeaways

Skylar's behavior was a call for attention, not defiance.
Understanding behavior as an indicator of interaction with the world is crucial.
Labeling behaviors can lead to misinterpretation and ineffective responses.
Antisocial behavior exists on a continuum and requires nuanced understanding.
Replacement behaviors are essential for teaching new skills.
It's important to differentiate between antisocial behavior and the child themselves.
Teachers often feel embarrassed about challenging behaviors in the classroom.
Documentation of behaviors and interventions is vital for seeking support.
Developing skills is the focus for both students and teachers.
Creating a supportive environment can lead to positive changes in behavior.

18 Using Bias for Good

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 08:21:00 +0000

We're talking about positive ways to leverage attentional bias. Inspired by the kindness momentum from Amy Ludwig Vanderwater's book, The Sound of Kindness, we discuss ways to foster a positive classroom identity and uplift student voices.

Links Mentions

The Sound of Kindness by Amy Ludwig Vanderwater

Brené Brown | Dare to Lead | List of Values

Episode 6: Unconscious Thoughts (AKA Bias)

Timeline

00:00 The Power of Kindness in Education

03:10 Building a Positive Classroom Identity

06:11 The Importance of Student Voice

09:13 Creating Meaningful Messages on Classroom Doors

11:29 Core Values and Classroom Identity

14:44 Innovative Ideas for Classroom Engagement

Key Takeaways

The kindness momentum created a positive bias in students.
Paying attention to what we focus on can influence student behavior.
Student handwriting and observations empower their identity.
Creating a classroom door reflects the community's values.
Students recognized the importance of their classroom identity.
Conversations about classroom decor can enhance student ownership.
Core values guide the messages we send in our classrooms.
Engaging students in decision-making fosters a sense of belonging.
Classroom doors can communicate important messages to the community.
Teachers can learn from each other's creative classroom ideas.

17 The Sound of Kindness with Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 08:11:00 +0000

Amy Ludwig VanDerwater joins us to talk about her book The Sound of Kindness. This is a delightful conversation about ways to help children process tough times and how to keep our own lights alive.

Links Mentioned

The Poem Farm
Amy's Website
Amy's First Post for National Poetry Month 2025: Hello, My Name Is
The Sound of Kindness
Magination Publisher
Life is in the Transistions by Bruce Feiler
"Kindness" by Naomi Shihab Nye

Timeline

00:00 The Power of Kindness in Education

07:40 Creating a Culture of Kindness

11:58 The Importance of Storytelling and Connection

15:52 The Power of Kindness in Education

18:51 Engaging with Creative Projects

Key Takeaways

The sound of kindness can transform classroom dynamics.
Engaging students in kindness projects fosters a positive culture.
Storytelling is a powerful tool for teaching empathy.
Children can take on roles that promote kindness, like "kindness detectives."
Poetry can help children process their emotions and experiences.
Paying attention to kindness can shift focus from negativity to positivity.
Creating a supportive environment encourages students to express themselves.
Literature can provide valuable lessons on navigating life's challenges.
Maintaining hope is essential for both educators and students.
Kindness and creativity are interconnected in the learning process.

16 Pay Attention To What STUDENTS Are Paying Attention To

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 04:05:00 +0000

Becca shares a situation that doesn't sit well with her because it seems like there are conditions for students to other one another. We tug at the complexity of following school iniatives that don't feel right when they play out in our classrooms.

Timeline

00:00 Celebrating Milestones in Kindergarten
02:57 The Impact of Extrinsic Motivation
06:03 Balancing Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation
09:00 Navigating Uncertainty in Teaching

Key Takeaways

Celebrating milestones like the 100th day of kindergarten is significant.
Students can become aware of their achievements in unexpected ways.
Extrinsic motivation can create competition among students.
Teachers often feel pressured to follow school initiatives.
Balancing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation is crucial for student development.
Teachers should reflect on what students are paying attention to.
Uncertainty in teaching can lead to valuable learning experiences.
Adjusting teaching strategies based on student feedback is important.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

15 Don't Let Your Brain Fool You

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 04:07:00 +0000

It's (almost) April Fool's Day, and we're talking about the ways brains can fool us and how we can write shared narratives to help students process hard things.

Timeline

00:00 April Fool's Day Memories
02:20 The Power of Self-Talk
06:23 Creating Shared Narratives
09:56 Overcoming Negative Self-Talk

Key Takeaways

Self-talk can empower students to face challenges.
Creating shared narratives helps students process experiences.
Teachers also struggle with negative self-talk.
Recognizing unhelpful thoughts is crucial for growth.
Positive affirmations can change a child's perspective.
Storytelling can reinforce resilience in students.
Community support is vital in overcoming fears.
Teachers can focus on the truth in their self-narratives.
It's important to slow down and reflect on our thoughts.

14 Confusing Behavior? Is it a Stress Response?

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 04:05:00 +0000

Sometimes the behaviors we see in our classrooms are confusing and frustrating. An article in a local newspaper opened a conversation about understanding the way trauma changes the brain so punitive responses and blaming parents won't help position students to learn. We talk about looking at behavior through a lens of stress responses.

Timeline

00:00 Understanding Student Behavior and Trauma Responses
07:10 Recognizing Trauma Responses in the Classroom
14:52 Exploring Advanced Trauma Responses
19:46 The Importance of Support and Resources for Teachers

Links

13 | How to Notice Behaviors and Make Adjustments

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 04:05:00 +0000

The hippocampus helps process memory. When young children experience extreme stress, the hippocampus can be damaged. This shows up in our classrooms in unexpected ways. Ruth and Becca share a Behavior/Skills Tracker teachers can use to help document behaviors and the ways they've tried to position students to learn.

Timeline

00:00 The Power of Drafting and Collaboration
02:54 Understanding the Hippocampus and Trauma
06:01 The Impact of Trauma on Children’s Brains
09:02 Healing and Supporting Children with Trauma
11:50 Practical Tools for Educators: Behavior and Skills Tracker

Download the Brain Reference and Behavior/Skills Tracker: https://stickyhope.com/13-2/

12 Expect and Accept a Lack of Closure

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 04:05:00 +0000

There are many realities of teaching that are different than how we imagined our teaching lives would go. One thing we can do is to learn to befriend uncertainty. This is more than a kitschy phrase, and we share the neuroscience behind learning to embrace uncertainty.

Timeline

00:00 Dreams vs. Reality in Teaching
03:09 Befriending Uncertainty
05:47 Curiosity as a Tool for Learning
09:13 The Power of Reflection and Observation
11:46 Encouraging Curiosity in Students

11: How To Talk About Tough Days with a Whole Class

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 05:05:00 +0000

Everyone has tough days, but how do we talk about those days with our students? An occupational therapist recommends a video to open conversations in Becca's kindergarten classroom.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Sticky Hope Kit: https://stickyhope.com/stickyhopekit/
Unbouncing Tigger (Walt Disney Animation Studios): https://youtu.be/LRVzWYYWgxM?si=__QXD2tp_1bi1K5z
Choice Literacy: https://choiceliteracy.com/

010: Welcoming Back After Emotional Dysregulation

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 05:05:00 +0000

We're coming back with part two of welcoming back because we want to talk about how to help the other kids welcome back a classmate who's been dysregulated and needed to take a break, or we had to clear the room with all of the other students. When this happens, how do we continue to build and strengthen our learning communities?

009: Welcoming Back Students All Year Long

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 05:01:00 +0000

It's mid-year and we're thinking about ways to welcome students and adults into our learning communities. It's not just a beginning of the year act, but something that happens all year long. We talk about welcoming the student who is always late or welcoming back a student who has been sick or welcoming the student who brought a toy (again). We even welcome Gem the cat and her unexpected cameo appearance on the podcast.

008 Empathy: Learn to Care

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 05:02:00 +0000

Humans must learn to care. It's not something we are born knowing how to do. Ruth and Becca talk about ways to nourish students to want to help others.

007 Pay Attention to What We Pay Attention To

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 05:01:00 +0000

The things we read, view, and hear influence the ways we interact with the world. How can we be authentic and keep an open-mind to learning more in a world that constantly touts a confusing mix of information? Ruth and Becca discuss paying attention to the things we pay attention to in order to nourish healthy regulation in ourselves and others.

006. Unconscious Thoughts (AKA Bias)

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 05:01:00 +0000

In episode six, Ruth and Becca discuss the way bias influences the decisions educators make when responding to students who are not at their finest.

005 What About the other Kids?

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 05:01:00 +0000

In the last episode, Ruth and Becca focused on deciding who we want to be when facing extreme behaviors. In this episode they talk about all of the other kids when an educator's attention is consumed by a child who is showing a stress response.

004 Who do you want to be when facing dysregulated behaviors?

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 05:01:00 +0000

Still tugging threads from Episode 002: Kindergarten, Suspension, and What We Know About the World, in this episode Ruth and Becca consider taking the time to reflect and notice patterns. It begins by deciding who we want to be when faced with dysregulated behaviors.

003. Three Questions to Nourish Students (and Ourselves)

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 06:14:00 +0000

Digging into the idea of well-nourished lives, we know it doesn't look the same for everyone. Ruth Ayres and Becca Burk discuss the importance of offering well-nourished lives to help strengthen emotional regulation. They define three questions to support well-nourished living in our classrooms and our lives.

002. Kindergarten, Suspension, and How We See the World

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 09:31:00 +0000

It can be shocking to hear people contemplate suspending a kindergarten student. Ruth Ayres and Becca Burk discuss whether suspension helps students grow academically and become mentally fit. This is a complicated topic, and at the end there are still more questions to explore.

001. Why Sticky Hope

Ruth Ayres — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:25:54 +0000

Whether you're facing a sticky situation with a student and a tricky behavior or a sticky conversation with a colleague or students' loved ones, choosing to find and provide hope is necessary. Ruth Ayres and Becca Burk decided it was time to chronicle their journey of interacting with kids.