Professional Development to Empower Educators in Santee School District

Professional Development to Empower Professionals in Santee School District

Santee School District in San Diego County is taking a strengths-based approach to professional development, helping educators recognize and build upon the strengths of both staff and students.

Have you ever been asked, “What’s wrong with you?” At Thrively, we focus on a different question: “What’s strong with you?”

This philosophy is reflected in the district’s commitment to student and staff well-being under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Baranski and Mike Olander, Director of Pupil Services & Student Well-Being.

Strengths-Based Professional Development in Santee School District

The TK–8 district prioritized well-being professional development by releasing all middle school teachers in grades 6–8 and instructional coaches to participate in training over four days, beginning in the summer.

The professional development experience focused on helping educators better understand their own strengths while exploring ways to support student well-being.

By investing time in educator development, district leaders demonstrated their commitment to creating a learning environment that recognizes the strengths of both teachers and students.

Discovering Strengths Through Thrively’s Assessment

During the professional development sessions, staff explored their individual strengths through Thrively’s Strengths Assessment, developed by leading pediatric neuropsychologists.

Educators also discovered resources available within the Thrively platform to enhance their wellness lessons and support student development.

With access to over 10,000 hours of content, Santee educators identified their favorite lessons and strategically organized them into playlists that could be assigned to students for practice.

This approach allowed teachers to connect their professional learning with activities students could explore in the classroom.

Supporting Student Self-Awareness Through Reflection

The district also used Thrively’s progress monitoring and feedback tools to support student reflection and self-awareness.

Students had already completed 1,200 journal reflections, creating opportunities to think about their strengths, experiences, and personal development.

Through these reflections, educators could provide feedback and encourage students to build greater awareness of themselves.

Building a School Culture That Celebrates Strengths

The professional development initiative reflects a broader commitment to supporting educators and students through strengths-based learning.

By helping teachers discover their own strengths, explore wellness resources, and create meaningful learning experiences, the district is putting its focus on well-being into practice.

At Thrively, we believe that when we shift our focus from what is wrong to what is strong, both staff and students have greater opportunities to thrive.

ACERO Charter Schools and Santiago Elementary: Supporting Student Well-Being

ACERO Charter Schools and Santiago Elementary

ACERO Charter Schools in Chicago is partnering with Thrively to strengthen student well-being and promote strengths-based education at Esmeralda Santiago Elementary School.

A big thank you to Principal Sweazy and Assistant Principal Cauhorn for their leadership in building a school culture that recognizes students’ strengths and prioritizes their well-being.

Strengths-Based Learning at ACERO Charter Schools

Thrively recently led a professional development workshop with faculty members at Esmeralda Santiago Elementary School.

During the workshop, educators explored strategies to build deeper connections with their students. These activities included analyzing student strengths through the Thrively platform, providing thoughtful feedback on student journals, and checking in on student well-being using Thrively’s Well-Being Index (WBI).

By using these tools, teachers can gain a better understanding of their students’ strengths, experiences, and daily needs.

Supporting Student Well-Being With Thrively’s Well-Being Index

Created in partnership with Turnaround for Children, the Well-Being Index helps schools conduct daily check-ins to better understand how students are feeling and functioning.

In less than 60 seconds, students can share how they are doing that day, giving teachers and counselors timely information about their well-being.

The information is available in real time, allowing educators to review individual responses and identify trends over weeks and months.

For Santiago Elementary School, the WBI provides a valuable way for teachers and counselors to connect with students and respond to their needs in a timely manner.

Building Stronger Teacher-Student Connections

Understanding students goes beyond academic performance. Recognizing their individual strengths, listening to their experiences, and paying attention to their emotional well-being can help educators build meaningful relationships.

Through the professional development workshop, Santiago faculty members explored how student strengths, journal reflections, and daily well-being check-ins can inform their interactions with students.

These practices support a learning environment where students feel recognized, heard, and cared for.

Thrively’s Commitment to Whole Child Development

At Thrively, we are dedicated to supporting whole child development by helping educators better understand and connect with their students.

Our work with Esmeralda Santiago Elementary School reflects this commitment to strengths-based learning and student well-being.

We believe that every child has a genius and deserves to thrive.

Daily Practices to Boost Mental Health

Daily Practices to Boost Mental Health

Mental health plays an important role in our overall well-being, creativity, and productivity. Small daily practices, such as mindfulness, gratitude, and positive psychological behaviors, can help individuals manage stress and develop healthier habits.

Mental health hygiene focuses on using simple tools and consistent practices to improve quality of life. Taking a few minutes each day to care for our emotional well-being can make a meaningful difference over time.

How Daily Practices Support Mental Health

Positive psychological behaviors can contribute to emotional well-being and help individuals respond to everyday challenges.

Research suggests that spending even a short amount of time practicing mindfulness or expressing gratitude can support psychological well-being.

These activities do not eliminate external problems or stressors. However, when practiced consistently, they may help individuals build resilience and develop healthier responses to difficult situations.

Simple Practices to Improve Emotional Well-Being

Mindfulness and gratitude are two accessible practices that individuals can incorporate into their daily routines.

Mindfulness encourages individuals to focus on the present moment and become more aware of their thoughts and feelings.

Gratitude involves taking time to recognize and appreciate positive experiences, relationships, and moments in everyday life.

Practicing these habits regularly can help support a more balanced mindset and encourage reflection.

Cathleen Beachboard on Building Healthy Daily Habits

Cathleen Beachboard, author of School of Hope, promotes small daily practices that support emotional well-being and resilience.

Her work emphasizes the importance of developing consistent habits that help individuals manage stress and strengthen their psychological well-being.

Learn more in her Edutopia article on small daily practices to boost mental health.

Bringing Hope Into the Classroom With Thrively

Hope can play a meaningful role in how children approach challenges and imagine their futures.

After adopting five children who had experienced trauma and neglect, Cathleen Beachboard explored Charles R. Snyder’s pioneering research into Hope Theory. Her discoveries inspired a lifelong commitment to helping children develop a stronger sense of possibility for their futures.

Through her collaboration with Thrively, Cathleen Beachboard has worked to bring these principles into educational settings.

Thrively’s approach to hope in education emphasizes helping students recognize their potential, develop confidence, and build a positive outlook for the future.

By encouraging small daily habits that support emotional well-being, educators can help create learning environments where students feel supported and have opportunities to thrive.