Student-led mental health teacher professional development model¶

Element · All elements
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 associational), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

A professional development model in which high school students, in partnership with a mental health counselor and community-based non-profit Bristol Cares, "led a series of professional development sessions to involve more teachers in advancing their understanding of and provide support to students experiencing mental health issues related to racial trauma." Students shared stories about their experiences in school and guided teachers through exercises to build consciousness in creating equitable classroom environments. Over 40 teachers participated in the pilot, and the district is refining the model to scale to more teachers.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Students must be supported by a mental health professional and adult mentors throughout the process
• Each student leading sessions must be assigned a mentor

Constraints¶

Target Learners¶

• teachers seeking to support students experiencing mental health issues related to racial trauma

Target Learning Goals¶

• teacher consciousness of students of color's experiences
• equitable classroom environments
• mental health support awareness

Claims¶

• Over 90 percent of Bristol teachers who participated in student-led mental health PD reported being more conscious of the experiences of students of color in school [+W]

Related Elements¶

• Teaching is My Favorite Color: teacher-designed support network for teachers of color

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Smith, K., & Young, V. M. (2024). A New Narrative: How Unlocking the Power of R&D Through Inclusive Innovation Can Transform Education. Digital Promise, Center for Inclusive Innovation. https://digitalpromise.dspacedirect.org/items/73f2e0fa-dca8-4cd0-a8da-eb18b59453c4. doi:10.51388/20.500.12265/202