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Resilience is built by addressing the impact of adversity and creating protective factors and the buffering effects of stable, nurturing relationships. Schools have the ability to teach resilience and create safe spaces for learning and growing. Schools have contact with students almost every day, which means they can provide resources and create an environment that helps mitigate the effects of adversity, and support children’s brain development, learning, and positive behavior. Building resilience within the school community, through the staff, teachers, students and families, will have a positive impact on student behavior, attendance, and academic achievement.
With a focus on developing safe, calm, supportive, predictable, and nurturing environments and a positive school climate, the work teaches honesty, empathy, emotional intelligence and self-awareness first within our teachers, and then our students, so we can strengthen the protective factors that support overall student and school success.
In the fall of 2023, Millennium Middle School in Sanford, Florida, embarked on a transformative journey guided by the Peace and Justice Institute’s (PJI) Whole School Resilience Program and the “Principles for How We Treat Each Other.” This initiative, championed by newly appointed Principal Crystal Higgs and initially funded by the Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools, aimed to create a more inclusive and resilient school culture for both educators and students.
Principal Higgs, the first Black principal at Millennium Middle School since its establishment in 1968, has led this effort with dedication and vision. Reflecting on the school’s progress, she notes a significant shift in positivity and belief among staff and students.
“None of this is happening by accident,” Higgs shares. “What we are doing in partnership with PJI is making a difference.” Under her leadership, Millennium implemented initiatives that have catalyzed cultural and academic growth. Recognizing the challenges her students face—many of whom enter below proficiency levels—Higgs prioritized investing in the school’s culture and climate for students and teachers.
The Whole School Resilience Program is intended to:
● Build strong relationships among employees and with students using a resilience
perspective, supporting self management in adults and children.
● Promote a positive school climate of empathy, honesty and emotional intelligence where difficult situations and conflicts can be addressed skillfully with compassionate care and restorative practices.
● Provide wellness programming for staff.
● Include parental education and involvement.
● Promote the Five Protective Factors within the school culture.
● Develop communication campaigns to build awareness about the impacts of adversity
on mental health, reduce stigma, and promote healing interventions.
Please email Celena Ziems, PJI’s Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development, at celena@peacejusticeinstitute.org to learn more about how to bring the Resilience Program to your organization.
Contact us at contact@peacejusticeinstitute.org
1331 Palmetto Ave, Suite 201, Winter Park, FL 32789, US
Peace and Justice Institute is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit recognized by the IRS.
