Professional Educators
Learning for Justice
​
Learning for Justice was founded by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) under the name Teaching Tolerance in 1991. The name change reflects their expanding mission to celebrate identity and diversity by inspiring educators and students with practical strategies to create change.
​
Learning for Justice offers lesson plans, that cover topics on social justice and social-emotional skills. These lessons can be filtered by topic, grade, or social justice domain. Teachers have access to a library with text from different perspectives that increase a student’s awareness to social issues. Free film kits, printable posters, and additional resources are available to registered schools.
Teachers have an opportunity for expanding their professional development in the area of social justice by attending a virtual training for the low price of $15, free online webinars, podcasts, and access to facilitator guides.
World Health Organization International
​
Founded in 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations agency dedicated to global health and safety. The Organization connects nations, partners, and communities to promote health and serve the vulnerable. WHO works globally to promote health, expand universal health coverage, and respond to emergencies.
​
Violence Against Children
​
May 2016, the World Health Assembly, put into place a WHO Global plan of action with the intention of strengthening the role of the health system within a national multisectoral response to address interpersonal violence, in particular against women and girls, and against children. There is a fact sheet, guidelines and a free training for professionals on child maltreatment prevention.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation and to improve the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders, and their families.
​
SAMHS’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness in America. SAMHSA offers several ways to connect people with reliable, reputable sources for assistance with behavioral health issues. SAMHS provides resources and guidance for programs, policies, data, funding, and personnel that can improve prevention and treatment for individuals, communities, and the public. Most of the information on the SAMHSA.gov website is in the public domain and can be used without charge or restriction.
The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) is a national resource center focused on promoting the social-emotional development and school readiness of young children from birth to age five. The Teaching Pyramid is a systematic framework developed by CSEFEL that incorporates Early Childhood Positive Behavior Support (EC-PBS) through promoting social-emotional development, providing support for children’s appropriate behavior, preventing challenging behavior, and addressing problematic behavior. I recommend reviewing the “Scripted Stories” for free downloadable books that contain social situations to coach children with expectations, social cues, and daily interactions. When caregivers take the opportunity to help children set realistic expectations with social interactions, negative behaviors can be reduced or minimized.
​
​
​
​
KidsHealth in the Classroom
KidsHealth in the Classroom has free educational resources that align with National Health Education Standards focus on health for children starting in Pre-K. KidsHealth in the Classroom offers links to age-appropriate resources, discussion questions, classroom activities, and printable handouts. By subscribing to the free email newsletter, professional educators can stay up to date with the latest health information. The Healthy Habits for Life Resource Kit is one of the resources that educators can use to incorporate healthy physical activity and nutrition habits into children’s everyday routines. Songs, posters, activities, family newsletters are paired with Sesame Street characters, to keep students’ interest while they engage in creating healthy habits for life.
​