Social Emotional Wellbeing
Are you, your fellow educators, or your students experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Educator burnout
- Student apathy
- High instances of discipline referrals
- Struggling attendance for students or educators
- Feelings of disconnection for students or educators
- Culture of stress, pressure, isolation, or frustration
- Increasing referrals to school counseling offices
- Low expectations and/or generally negative outlook
- Prevalence of bullying, aggressive behaviors, or online toxicity amongst students
- Instances of individuals presenting in crisis
- Lack of dialogue or formal systems of support, education, and prevention related to wellbeing
If so, these are symptoms of possible underlying wellbeing issues. The Renaissance resources below can help you normalize conversations around social, emotional, and mental wellness, as well as inspire you to create formalized systems on your campus to prevent and address wellbeing issues. Our top recommendations are listed first, followed by our entire library of resources for creating dialogue and focus on overall wellbeing. If you would like input on how to best use these resources, check out the Implementation Plan section at the bottom of this page.
Featured Resources
Harbor Episode – Ross Szabo
In this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, an expert on mental wellness shares his own personal journey and strategies for maintaining one’s own wellbeing. Show this video to staffulty and to students and use the accompanying discussion prompts to begin healthy dialogue on your campus around mental wellness.
Educator Summit Session – Emotional Wellness
This Video on Demand piece supplies educators with simple and effective strategies for maintaining their own wellbeing. Show this to your entire staff and challenge each educator to find personal outlets and coping strategies. Assist your staffulty in creating accountability and support partners.
RenTalk – Charlie Schoos
Hear from a Class of 2020 student as he bravely shares his personal story of overcoming a mental health crisis. In this video, he recounts the role his support system plays in his wellness and offers a message of encouragement to any peers that find themselves in despair. This resource discusses suicide and should be previewed prior to use.
Exclusive Social Emotional Wellbeing Resources
Video on Demand featuring licensed psychologist discussing physical reactions to stress and appropriate coping strategies
Jostens Renaissance Virtual Conference Breakout – Digital First Responders
Video on Demand providing strategies for training students to eliminate social media bullying
Jostens Renaissance Virtual Conference Breakout – Live More Screen Less
Video on Demand linking social and emotional wellness with online activities
Jostens Renaissance Virtual Conference Breakout – Mental Health
Video on Demand offering examples of healthy coping strategies
Jostens Renaissance Virtual Conference Breakout – Therapy Dogs
Video on Demand sharing a best practice for incorporating emotional support dogs into your school community
Harbor Episode – Health and Wellness
Video-based lesson with discussion prompts describing how the cultivation of small habits lead to healthier living
Harbor Episode – Self Reflection
Video-based lesson with discussion prompts highlighting how reflection provides critical insights about ourselves and others
Harbor Episode – Insecurities
Video-based lesson with discussion prompts in which dozens of high school students give their perspectives on insecurities and how they work to overcome them
Harbor Episode – Pressure
Video-based lesson with discussion prompts reminding us that staying true to ourselves is important when facing pressure to conform
Harbor Episode – Self Confidence
Video-based lesson with discussion prompts sharing advice for growing one’s self-confidence
Harbor Episode – Failure
Video-based lesson with discussion prompts in which students share their perspectives on failure and fear of rejection
Harbor Episode – Substance Abuse
Video-based lesson with discussion prompts discussing the reasons people seek substances to cope
Harbor Episode – Stress and Pressure
Video-based lesson with discussion prompts providing practical tips on how to manage pressure
Curriculum Lesson – Coping Strategies
A classroom lesson plan identifying active and passive approaches for dealing with various types of stressors
Curriculum Lesson – Reflection
A classroom lesson plan applying effective reflective tools to self and performance
Curriculum Lesson – Self Improvement
A classroom lesson plan providing strategies for turning personal insecurities into features of pride
Curriculum Lesson – Courage
A classroom lesson plan discussing how fear and courage impact personal growth
Curriculum Lesson – Emotional Wellness
A classroom lesson plan with tips for creating and maintaining healthy balance throughout life’s ups and downs
Curriculum Lesson – Attitude
A classroom lesson plan exploring attitudinal tendencies and developing strategies for maintaining a positive attitude
Curriculum Lesson – Failure
A classroom lesson plan applying meaning to the causes of failure
Curriculum Lesson – Grit
A classroom lesson plan analyzing the definition, sources, and manifestations of grit
Curriculum Lesson – Personal Value Adds
A classroom lesson plan assisting students in identifying their potential contributions to a larger group
Curriculum Lesson – Humility
A classroom lesson plan teaching students how to express themselves in a humble light
Curriculum Lesson – Integrity
A classroom lesson plan exploring what it means to live and lead with integrity
Curriculum Lesson – Self Image vs Reputation
A classroom lesson plan analyzing the relationship between self-image and reputation and identifying ways to repair each
Idea Exchange – Just Checking In Cards
Best practice submission for how to create a formal system for peer check-ins
Idea Exchange – Cut Me Some Slack Pass
Best practice submission for how to exhibit grace when a student is struggling
Idea Exchange – Why You’re Awesome Notepads
Best practice submission for expressing appreciation and encouragement
Idea Exchange – Recognition Discs
Best practice submission for providing personal and public recognition of character qualities
Jostens Renaissance Store – Pause Before You Post Pins
Visible reminder for students to use social media with integrity and safety
Jostens Renaissance Store – Tokens of Appreciation
Tokens for immediate and unexpected recognition of good deeds
Jostens Renaissance Store – Characteristic Buttons
Method for honoring positive characteristics possessed by a student
Jostens Renaissance Store – YASSSS Button
Fun way to celebrate incremental student successes
Jostens Renaissance Store – Can We Talk Cards
Private way for students to reach out when they are in need of support
ConnectEd Podcast – Confidence through esports
Podcast episode discussing how esports is an avenue for building confidence
Courageous Conversations – Mental Health
Watch this episode for insights and tips for making mental health an intentional priority every day.
Courageous Conversations – Physical Fitness and Wellbeing
In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Dwight shares his wellbeing journey and shows us the connection between physical and mental wellness.
Courageous Conversations – Relationships
Dr. Farah Ortega-Choate shares the impact prioritizing relationships has had on her as educator and as a person.
Courageous Conversations – Self Care
In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Sara shares simple, yet impactful, tips for making our wellbeing a priority.
Courageous Conversations – Mental Wellness
In this episode of Courageous Conversations, a few brave young people offer a peak inside their own mental wellness struggles and coping strategies.
Courageous Conversations – Preparing for Life’s Transitions
In this episode of Courageous Conversations, a handful of young adults discuss their emotions and mindset as they face some big life transitions on the horizon.
Courageous Conversations – Engaging Students
In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Jonathan Alsheimer shares several ideas for how to transform your existing instructional resources and practices into ones students won’t be able to resist engaging with.
Courageous Conversations – Seeking Growth
In this episode of Courageous Conversations, several educators share their favorite books, podcasts, and PLNs – ones that have helped them grow both professionally and personally.