The Supporting Every Student Learning Series (SES) is intended to support professional learning for schools, school authority leaders, youth supporting agencies, and parents around creating or enhancing welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environments that support student success and wellbeing. The series provides access to information on research and evidence-based practices through recorded “TedTalk” style presentations and conversation guides, with links for further information. This series is structured in a manner that it could be used in Professional Learning Communities, staff meetings, school council meetings, or any other information sharing event.
Brain Development with Dr. Nicole Sherren, Scientific Director and Program Officer, Palix Foundation
Join Dr. Nicole Sherren in this 3 part video series as she shares how early experiences, adversity and exposure to toxic stress impacts children’s lifelong learning and health. The research and evidence best practices create a convincing argument for the necessity to create welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments that respect diversity and nurture a sense of belonging and a positive sense of self.
The Effects of Bullying on Children with Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt, Professor and Canada Research Chair, Children’s Mental Health and Violence Prevention, University of Ottawa
Dr. Tracey Vaillancourt discusses the effects of bullying on children in this 4 part video series. She examines the correlation between bullying behaviours and the increased risk factors for mental health issues, why bullying affects individual children differently and how a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment is important for reducing bullying behaviours.
Social Emotional Learning with Deinera Exner-Cortens, University of Calgary, Christina Rinaldi, University of Alberta, and Wanda Christensen, Chinook’s Edge School Division
This 3 part video series looks at how Social Emotional Learning (SEL) can decrease bullying and the positive benefits for students, families and communities. The final video shares lessons learned by a school division as SEL research and best practices are put into action.
Whole School Approach with Jon McGavock, University of Manitoba and
Mavis Averill and Huiy Tang, Boyle Street Education Centre
This 2 part video series looks at using a model of resilience to create healthy school communities and looks at strategies and practices to support a whole school approach.
Trauma-Informed Practice with Margaret Casey, Calgary Board of Education and Mardi Bernard, Edmonton Public School Board
Highlighting the effects of trauma in childhood and how important creating a whole school approach can help students overcome the adverse effects of trauma is the focus of this 2 part video series.
Restorative Practices with Dr. Brenda Morrison, Simon Fraser University and MJ Nam, Fultonvale Elementary/Junior High
This 3 part video series provides an introduction to Restorative Justice and looks at the rationale and theory of restorative practices. The last video shares one schools’ story around the use of restorative practices and how it contributed to creating a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment.
Supporting LGTBQ Students, Their Families, and Staff, with Dr. Kristopher Wells, University of Alberta, Marni Panas, Marni Panas Consulting, and Michael Hauptman, Elk Island Catholic Schools
This 3 part video series unlocks the importance of anticipating and embracing diversity as the key to ensuring students, staff and families of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities can be themselves. One school division shares their journey and lessons learned in developing policies to support sexual and gender minority students.
Supporting Refugee Students with Roxanne Felix-Mah, PolicyWise for Children & Families, Kathleen Jensen, Grasslands Public Schools, and Christine Oliver, Calgary Board of Education
This 3 part video series looks at how understanding the refugee experience helps students from refugee backgrounds feel a sense of belonging and some practical ideas to support integration.
For further information, please contact Education Manager, School and Community
Supports for Children and Youth Branch at 780-422-6547 or dial 310-0000 first for toll-free access in Alberta.
This learning series is funded by:
