Educators regularly think about student resilience but don't often get the time and support to focus on their own. During this engaging and interactive PD experience, you will learn to amplify your personal and professional strengths and satisfaction.
You will also reflect on your own Web of Support inside and outside of school, and you will discover the dynamic balancing act between those two Webs.
You will leave feeling rejuvenated, with a fresh perspective to further boost your resiliency, and with new skills to increase student learning.
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Facilitators:
Amy McDonald
Amy McDonald has more than two decades of experience in K-12 education, including a K-8 Type B Teaching Certification and a Master’s in K-12 School Counseling. Amy has spent many years working in administrative roles. She has an extensive background in supporting students from academics to social-emotional learning, trauma-informed care, strengths-building, and strategies for addressing the whole child. She has a leadership role in co-developing and implementing Brightways Learning’s Kaleidoscope Connect services and has delivered engaging trainings with youth and adults in the United States and Canada. She also worked in group homes and, daily, provides one-on-one support to students. Living in multi-ethnic communities has given Amy a fresh look at youth development. She continues to work in multiple school districts with youth and tribal organizations inside and outside Alaska.
Jen O'Brien-Rojo
Jen O'Brien-Rojo is the founder of the California Institute for Invincible Youth, coaching teens, families, and communities to ensure they have a vibrant web of support that protects as well as launches youth into their greatness. She has worked with teens, families, schools, and communities for over 30 years. As a Youth Advocate, Youth Development Director, and Executive Director of a nonprofit agency, Jen has supported teens who are survivors of domestic violence, victims of violence, teen parents, in the foster care system, and who want more out of life! Jen is pursuing a Ph.D. in Integrative Youth Development. Her current projects include working with LGBTQ+ youth and allies to increase thriving for teens in these communities, with Faith communities to actively build webs of support for youth and teens in their faith formation programs, and with teens who are looking to replace substance use/abuse with a healthy web of support that will allow them to shift from numbing to thriving. In addition, Jen serves on the planning committee for the Western Region Association for Experiential Education, is a member of the Community Prevention Partners, is a national trainer for Brightways Learning, and an instructor and curriculum development fellow for The Institute for Community and Adolescent Resiliency - Unifying Solutions.