Center for Optimal Brain Integration

I love educators! Teachers are everything and I always say, the most important degree we can all receive is a PhD. in ourselves. Kern County Superintendents of Schools Early Learning Services did just that. A day of tuning inward to the universe that lives inside of us and strengthening practices that buffer stress, ground us in uncertainty and prevent burnout so we can harness our helping superpower. Here are some of our favorite mantra's, prayers and quotes that ground us in times of stress.

Oprah coined it perfectly. Happy Pride Month🌈!

Welcome Texas Region 10 to a wonderful day of learning trauma and responsive strategies for students K-12 who are experiencing homelessness. My favorite comment at the end was an adult who said that it was most helpful for her to piece together the elements of her own life and how trauma has impacted her. She said it helped her make sense of why we as adults are the navigators of the nervous system of youth. We are not spoiling with these strategies but instead we are leading their nervous system to feel safer so that they can access the part of their brain that will help them think, reason and learn. I love YOU TEXAS teachers. You are an inspiration every day. It only takes ONE and you might be the only ONE in the life of a child who sees them and mirrors back they are valued and that there is hope.

Today was a day filled with individual and collective self-care and strengthening self-awareness at the Los Angeles County Office of Education. I gathered and took a photo of my favorite mantras and quotes that ground me in times of stress. There is nothing more important than getting a PhD in yourself. This is the foundation to everything we do with children. I have been working with LACOE for several years and I really believe they elevate trauma-responsive and resilience building strategies in their early learning division. Today was a reawakening of our superpowers! And..the added bonus of massage therapists in the back of the room giving massages while I trained! LOVE, LOVE to all of you today. May you continue to polish your highest selves.

It is so important that children PLAY as that is the foundation for learning. Excessive technology use can prevent the foundational skills needed to support learning, regulation and health and wellness. For example, at a dinner table in a restaurant, avoid the use of the iPad because waiting for the meal develops regulation and engaging with others builds relational and social skills. The more children are on technology, the less regulation, social skills and focal attention they will develop for school. I know how hard it is. The other day I took my 20 month grandchild to dinner and all he did was run around and throw food on the ground and make loud noises.
It is so tempting to give them the iPad so they are quiet and still but every time we do, we miss out on important aspects of brain development.

Plus, the use of technology will lead to the following so start good habits early on.
1. Sedentary Lifestyle: Excessive screen time can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, which is associated with various health issues such as obesity and poor physical fitness.
2. Social Isolation: Spending too much time on devices can reduce face-to-face social interaction, which is crucial for developing social skills and emotional intelligence.
3. Attention Span: Constant exposure to fast-paced media can contribute to shorter attention spans and difficulty in focusing on tasks that require sustained attention.
4. Sleep Disturbance: The blue light emitted by screens can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to inadequate sleep and its associated negative effects on cognitive function and mood.
5. Dependence and Addiction: Excessive use of technology, particularly social media and gaming, can lead to dependence and addiction, which can interfere with other aspects of life such as academics, hobbies, and relationships.
6. Impact on Mental Health: Exposure to inappropriate content, cyber bullying, and comparison with others on social media can negatively affect children's self-esteem and mental well-being.
7. Developmental Delays: Over-reliance on technology for entertainment and learning can potentially hinder the development of important skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Children have developing bodies and brains especially up to 25 years. If you want your child to do well in school and function as an adult with social and cognitive skills required to hold a job and relationships then consider significantly reducing technology access and use for your children.

Links and resources: Private message me if you want links that are helpful to the research behind reducing technology.

THIS is what the faces of folks who just completed an intense National Training of Trainer Cohort in Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building Practices for Early Childhood Educators looks like. An intensive 1-year deep dive, learning to train and coach on trauma. They along with hundreds of other authorized folks from infant and toddler to 12th grade educators can carry the light through training and coaching in their own communities. Thank YOU for climbing Mt. Everest metaphorical with us at the Center for Optimal Brain Integration. Although I don't have a photo of all the Infant Toddler, PreK-12 and other PreK-3 cohorts, cheers to your persistence and determination. I know it is not easy but as one of our authorized trainers says, "It is like going to the gym, micro muscle tears so we can get bigger, wiser, stronger and kinder in the delivery of the materials." (Thanks Nate).

If you are interested in applying to our next ToT-TRIA cohort, here are some details.

We are the first in the nation to offer a Training of Trainer, Trauma-Responsive Institute for Authorization (TOT TRIA). You can become authorized to train/coach educators and schools on Trauma and Resilience. The impact and importance of trauma (70% of adults) is bubbling to mainstream awareness, but we believe in creating sustainability in communities. Authorizing trainers allows you to have the experts located within your local communities. If authorized, you can tailor the curriculum as you understand your culture and values more than any outsider who comes in to train. We should have trauma/resilience trainers with deep knowledge all over the country, in every county, district and school. Our mission is to empower you to do the important work of healing.

We invite you to explore joining us this next National Training of Trainer Cohort. Applications are due June 15, 2023

You can choose from one of three Cohorts to apply for by June 15:
a. Infant and Toddler
b. TK-2nd
c. TK-12th

We believe in sustainability…ensuring every community in the nation has authorized expert trainers to continue giving every trauma impacted child a voice.

Questions? You can contact the lead trainer and author of 5 (soon to be a 6th through Harvard Education Press for PreK-12 Educators) books on trauma and two award winning children’s books for a 1:1 to have all your questions answered about the TOT-TRIA application. DM here to set up the 1:1.

Become authorized to train/coach on trauma and resilience in your community. Find out more details at https://www.optimalbrainintegration.com/trainer-of-trainer

Today rocked my spirit as I had the joy to keynote at the Yolo County Office of Education. Early childhood educators today elevated the topic of strengthening self awareness and self care practices to prevent burnout. My favorite quote was “being a teacher is HEART work.” Thank you teachers for raising humane beings every day. I hope your brain bracelets remind you daily that you are brain architects.

"Did you know that the prefrontal cortex, the brain's air traffic control system is the center for decision-making and complex thinking and is heavily influenced by our experiences.

From childhood to adulthood, our interactions and experiences mold this region, shaping our habits and behavior.

Every experience is a chance to rewire your brain, body and behavior. In our trainings at Center for Optimal Brain Integration we share the message of hope and that every person impacted by toxic or traumatic stress has the hope of healing and building resilience.

2024-2025 National Training of Trainer, Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building Institute for Authorization

Applications Due June 15, 2024 ONE MONTH LEFT TO APPLY

Will you Join the Next National Training of Trainer Cohort for Educators?

Don't miss the opportunity to apply by June 15th for one of our next 3 Cohorts of the National Training of Trainer, Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building 2024-2025.

Become authorized to train and coach on trauma, resilience and reducing stress in schools for educators early childhood to 12th grade.

The Center for Optimal Brain Integration® is announcing recruitment for new apprentices in three different National Training of Trainer, Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building Institute for Authorization (ToT-TRIA) Cohorts in 2024-2025.

1. Infant and Toddler Cohort: The intensive cohort will equip participants to train and coach in Module 100 Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building for Infant and Toddler Providers.

or

2. PreK-3 Cohort: Apprentices become authorized to train and coach in Module 100 Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building for early childhood educators.

or

3. TK-12 Cohort: Upon completion, participants will be authorized to train and coach in Module 100 Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building for TK-12 Educators.

Applications/details:

https://www.optimalbrainintegration.com/trainer-of-trainer. Applications Due June 15th, 2024. Details, time commitment and deadlines are all in the application. Scholarships and payment plans available upon request.

📯 The purpose of the National Training of Trainer Institute for Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building Authorization (ToT-TRIA) 2024-2025 apprentice program is to help individuals develop a deeper knowledge related to trauma informed, responsive and resilience building practices for educators and to be ready to train providers in the future once they are authorized in Module 100 Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building Practices for Schools and Educators. This intensive apprenticeship program is to support an individual to become authorized and to be able to support other providers and educators in learning the foundations and strategies of trauma-responsive and resilience building practices in educational settings, including reducing stress related behaviors in their schools.

https://www.optimalbrainintegration.com/so/13Oxy1Yyp?languageTag=en

2024-2025 National Training of Trainer Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building Institute for Authorization Applications Due June 15, 2024 ONE MONTH LEFT TO APPLY Will you Join the Next National Training of Trainer Cohort for Educators? Don't miss the opportunity to apply by June 15th for one of our next 3 Cohorts of the National Training of Trainer, Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building 2024-2025. Become authorized to train and co...

The deadline to apply is coming around the corner...June 15th!

We are one of the first in the nation to offer a Training of Trainer, Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building Institute for Authorization (TOT TRIA). You can become authorized to train/coach educators and schools on Trauma and Resilience. The impact and importance of trauma (70% of adults) is bubbling to mainstream awareness, but we believe in creating sustainability in communities. Authorizing trainers allows you to have the experts located within your local communities. If authorized, you can tailor the curriculum as you understand your culture and values more than any outsider who comes in to train. We should have trauma/resilience trainers with deep knowledge all over the country, in every county, district and school. Our mission is to empower you to do the important work of healing. We invite you to explore joining us this next National Training of Trainer Cohort. Applications are due June 15, 2024.

You can choose from one of three Cohorts to apply for by June 15:
a. Infant and Toddler Cohort
b. PreK-3 Cohort
c. TK-12th Cohort

Become authorized to train/coach on trauma and resilience in your community.

🌟 Elevate your impact by joining the forefront of change!

🤔 Questions? Connect us!

🌐 Be the Change: Transform your community by becoming authorized to train/coach on trauma and resilience. Explore details and apply at https://www.optimalbrainintegration.com/trainer-of-trainer

All I can say is this R.O.C.K. star team changes lives! 👇🏽Resilient Oakland Kids and Communities. Alisa Burton Wenonah Elms LaWanda Wesley Priya Jagannathan

Sybl Moore it was such a joy to see you again at the Tuolumne County Early Childhood Educator's Conference yesterday in Sonora, California! I just love listening to all the profound strategies you are using in your program. I think it is educator's like you that want to continue to learn and are dedicated to "knowing better and doing better each day for kids". Thank you for all the love you spread through the world everywhere you go. Infant Child Enrichment Services- Tuolumne

"Ever wonder why adults are the 'substitute prefrontal cortex' for children? 🤔 Well, it's because young brains are still developing those crucial decision-making skills! The prefrontal cortex takes 25 years to develop! The part of your brain responsible for executive skills such as focal attention, empathy, self-regulation, problem-solving skills. If that is the case, adults are like coaches, teaching children to build these skills. If you are a teacher, educator, caregiver, parent, resource parent...you are a brain architect. Let us TEACH, not Punish children.

Just like a coach guiding a player, adults step in to offer support, guidance, and wisdom until kids' brains fully develop. Let's embrace that our role is so important and teaching children what to do, supporting them in emotional emergencies are all the ways we support our children to develop those humane skills. Threats, punishment, bribes stop behavior but don't teach and support the building of executive skills. As a side note...technology also does not teach and inhibits the development of these executive skills. Center for Optimal Brain Integration

Parent and Education Warriors Raising Humane Beings - I love the person who created this visual because it reminds me as a parent trainer we know and remember that....

Getting into power struggles with kids can be counterproductive for several reasons:

Escalation: Power struggles often escalate, leading to increased tension and conflict between you and the child. This can create a negative relationship and make it harder to communicate effectively.

Loss of Connection: Engaging in power struggles can erode the connection between you and the child. Instead of focusing on understanding each other's perspectives and finding solutions together, the focus shifts to finding a compromise versus asserting authority.

Missed Learning Opportunities: Power struggles divert attention away from addressing the underlying issues or needs that may be causing the conflict and the emphasis is on control and dominance over the child.

Impact on Self-Esteem: Constant power struggles can undermine a child's self-esteem and confidence. Feeling constantly challenged or controlled can lead to feelings of inadequacy or resentment for the child.

Ineffective Discipline: Power struggles often result in resorting to punishment or coercion to assert authority, rather than using positive discipline techniques that encourage cooperation and understanding and teaching what to do instead.

Modeling: Engaging in power struggles sets a poor example for children, teaching them that conflicts are best resolved through domination rather than communication, empathy, and compromise.

Overall, avoiding power struggles with kids allows for healthier and more effective interactions, fostering mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.

Our most recently released newsletter has nuggets of tips and resources for educators and administrators infancy to 12th grade and communities striving to find individual and collective wisdom and resources to reduce stress in schools and build sources of resilience and healing. We hope you have a moment to peruse on your own precious time.

Link to newsletter
https://www.optimalbrainintegration.com/so/4bOwaXy3w?languageTag=en

We gathered together through the Orange County Office of Education, CalOptima Health and the Center for Optimal Brain Integration to learn about working with clients to become navigators of the nervous system to reduce stress and promote healing and resilience. There were staff who work with the over 26,000 students who identify as homeless in Orange County. We had teachers, school professional, nurses, shelter case managers, hospital social workers, school counselors, family community and homeless liaisons in this training. The story that really stood out is one of the participants who shared that a girl comes to her counseling office every day and just talks and talks about her day over and over and then they discovered knitting together and the counselor and student just talk every day and would knit while they talked. Together we realized that this may be the one and only adult that is providing this attuned regulatory support and relational safety for this student. There is nothing magical that she needs to say or advise the student about...just being there for her is what is most healing to her nervous system. Tears as I think about the power of one person in the life of a student.

🌟✨ Attention School Administrators and District Leaders! ✨🌟

Feeling the weight of stress and burnout among teachers due to the increasing challenges of student behavior and stress levels?

We get it! That's why we're thrilled to share our upcoming project: a ground-breaking book on "Reducing Stress in Schools (TK-12)" in partnership with Harvard Education Press, slated for release in early 2025. Plus, we've authored several books for early childhood educators on this vital subject.

But there's more you can do to help! 📚🎓 We're eager to bring actionable solutions directly to your district. Imagine empowering your team with cutting-edge training focused on trauma-responsive and stress reducing practices, resilience building, and positive behavioral support services. Together, we can create a culture of calm for teachers and students and increased access to learning.

Introducing our training program at the Center for Optimal Brain Integration®: an immersive experience designed to equip your community members with the skills to champion trauma-responsive, stress-reducing practices in schools. By authorizing individuals within your district, you're paving the way for transformative change at every level of your district from students to educators to administration.

Ready to take the first step towards re-creating a district and educational environment that reduces stress and dysregulated behaviors? Reach out today or visit our website to learn more about co-designing a plan or our Training of Trainer program. Let's make stress reduction and resilience-building a reality in your schools! 💡🍎

Contact Julie Kurtz, Executive Director at the Center for Optimal Brain Integration today for more details: https://www.optimalbrainintegration.com/

Did you do one this weekend? All those picking weeds on our hill and digging in the dirt, getting some sun helped me feel more restored today.

Thank you to Stockton Unified School District K-12 Administrators, Counselors and Teachers for the contagious energy in the room yesterday. Your passion to move the needle, to raise humane beings, to be brain architects reminded me that we are all in this together and that there is hope for a new day, a shift in the way we have always done things in education for hundreds of years. My favorite comment from a teacher during the training, “if the students like you, if you build a trusting relationship with them, when they feel safe with you, THEN they are more likely to listen, learn or comply with classroom expectations and rules.” I loved taking photos with the two raffle winners, Lianne and Angela who won a copy of our children's book Understanding My Brain: Becoming Human(E)! This is just the beginning of our journey together. PS- thank you for my cool swag bag!

The Center for Optimal Brain Integration® is announcing recruitment for new apprentices in three different National Training of Trainer, Trauma-Responsive Institute of Authorization (ToT-TRIA) Cohorts in 2024.

1. Infant and Toddler Cohort: The intensive cohort will equip participants to train and coach in Module 100 Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building for Infant and Toddler Providers.

or

2. PreK-2 Cohort:Apprentices become authorized to train and coach in Module 100 Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building for PreK-2 Providers.

or

3. TK-12 Cohort

Upon completion, participants will be authorized to train and coach in Module 100 Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building for TK-12 Educators.

Applications/details for each cohort in link below.
Applications Due June 15th, 2024

📯 The purpose of the National Training of Trainer Institute for Trauma-Responsive Authorization (ToT-TRIA) 2024-2025 apprentice program is to help individuals develop a deeper knowledge related to trauma informed, responsive and resilience building practices for educators and to be ready to train providers in the future once they are authorized in Module 100 Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building Practices for Schools and Educators. This intensive apprenticeship program is to support an individual to become authorized and to be able to support other providers in learning the foundations and strategies of trauma-responsive and resilience building practices in educational settings.

📚 Overall Activities: Apprentices will participate in a series of trainings, activities and meetings designed to learn the content of module 100 and deepen their understanding and ability to train to the key trauma related concepts. Their Center for Optimal Brain Integration® mentor will lead the apprentices through a process that includes formal instruction, reflective conversation and experiential activities to become ready to independently train on the module. There will be several ToT (Training of Trainer) meetings, independent assignments such as reading and self-recorded practice, all with the intention of deepening knowledge about trauma and key resilience building strategies.

💡 Benefits of Authorization
1. You can train/coach on Module 100 for your organization as an employee or independently as a consultant and/or independent contractor.
2. You receive monthly Trainer Video TIPS (Trauma Informed Practices) from the Center for Optimal Brain Integration®.
3. You have access to technical support from COBI after authorization.
4. You are eligible to become authorized in other modules by COBI in the future. Module 100 is a prerequisite to the other modules in the series.
5. You will become a part of a national cohort authorized to train in trauma-responsive and resilience building practices.
https://www.optimalbrainintegration.com/trainer-of-trainer
Center for Optimal Brain Integration

Training of Trainer Institute | COBI Trainers in Education (Pre-K to 12) can be authorized by the Center for Optimal Brain Integration to train on trauma informed practices and healing engagment strategies in their own communities.

You do not need to know if someone experienced trauma or what their trauma history is to use trauma-responsive practices. They just need to recognize what stress-related behaviors look like and the simple steps they can take to support themselves and others to feel safe and be guided back to regulation. Like Su Mei mentions below, just listening to a family or linking them to services is being trauma- responsive and healing engaged.

“We don’t have to really know the trauma a family has experienced to support them. I think teachers have that misconception that they can’t use trauma- informed strategies because they aren’t trained therapists. So, we need to really emphasize, it’s not only for certified therapists, but also for people like me. We don’t need to know the history of the family or be trauma experts. These strategies are good for all families, so we just need to understand them and use them. It could be as simple as just being there to listen to a family with the open mindset or linking a family with an important community resource.”
-Su Mei Wu, Quality Improvement Coach, BANANAS Resource and Referral Agency

From the book: Trauma-Responsive Family Engagement in Early Childhood: Practices for Equity and Resilience (100% of the proceeds are donated)

It is a new day...stress in schools across the country is leading to a reckoning, a nudge to shift the paradigm. A remembrance that we are raising humans, we are navigators of nervous systems of both adults and students. Our book (coming in 2025) hopes to be one of many beacons that light the path for schools to not only reduce stress in schools but to look at the whole educator and students creating systems of collective care promoting relational regulation and environment safety. Thank you TIEN for interviewing all our authors discussing the upcoming release of our book from Harvard Education Press https://soundcloud.com/mathew-portell-93233744/episode-100-the-author-team-trauma-informed-educators-network-podcast?si=b3f4da57a2014d62ae201c6fbb423292&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing Mathew Portell Tyisha Noise Ingrid Ross Cockhren

Episode #100: The Author Team - Trauma Informed Educators Network Podcast Mathew Portell, Dr. Tyisha Noise, Ingrid Cockhren, Julie Kurtz, and Dr. Julie Nicholson, our author team, experts in psychology, education, leadership/administration, diversity, equity, inclusion, and

🌤️ Early Childhood Educators Pearls of Wisdom🌿
When training on trauma/resilience for this organization, one comment stood out to me and I asked permission to use this nugget of gold so we can make visible ways educators regulate their stress levels throughout the day. Luis Ramos Barrios, a dedicated Preschool Teacher, shares a beautiful insight into their self-care practice that resonates deeply. Sometimes, calming ourselves amidst the chaos means stepping outside with the children, laying on the grass, and letting our minds wander as we gaze at the clouds together. It's these simple yet profound moments that restore our depleted energy and ground us back to calm. Self-care, peace and calm can be found through the simplest strategies. Thank you Luis, for your wisdom! 🌱💫 @ North Bay Children's Center

Thank you Open Door Network for bringing this final training in a multi-year series ending with the final module Supporting Young Children to Cope, Build Resilience and Heal from Trauma through Play: A Practical Guide for Early Childhood Educators (100% proceeds from our book are donated to a nonprofit organization). Kudos to DeCondia Ferguson for your visionary leadership and a special shout out to all of our dedicated 5 (see photo) authorized trainers who worked so hard to become authorized in our Module 100 PreK-2. I loved being in community with you all and was touched by your dedication to give every child a voice who has been impacted by trauma.

Authorized COBI trauma and resilience trainers and those who will understand how humming is a 'bottom of the brain' regulatory practice AND using the out breath while humming promotes the exhale where the out breathing (exhale) activates the parasympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system and slows you down, calms you, decreases anxiety. I wish upon you all some good humming this weekend. Teachers - hum a song with your kids. Parents hum a song while making dinner and all adults, hum while you are on your way to work or on a break today. Thank you Sesame Street

Sesame Street: HUM Along to Sunny Days with Elmo & Friends! Elmo and friends show how humming can help support people’s emotional well-being. Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street, launched...