In this conversation, Dr. Sarah Bennison discusses the Mattering Movement, which aims to combat feelings of inadequacy and loneliness, particularly among young people. She shares her experiences as an educator in underprivileged areas and highlights the importance of small acts of kindness and service learning in fostering connections and a sense of belonging. The discussion also touches on the pressures of achievement culture in education and the need for both students and teachers to feel valued and empowered. Dr. Bennison emphasizes the actionable nature of fostering mattering in educational settings and provides practical steps for parents and educators to create supportive environments.

The Mattering Movement, which includes tools for parents and teachers https://www.thematteringmovement.com/
Dr. Jonathan Kozol, author of the book that inspired so many of us idealistic young teachers, Savage Inequalities https://www.jonathankozol.com/ (a book every American should read!)
Trinity School NYC Service Learning Program (designed by Sarah) https://www.trinityschoolnyc.org/our-programs/public-service
Creating a Class: College Admissions and the Education of Elites by Dr. Mitchell Stevens (highly recommend!)
To read more about the concept of 'thwarted belonging' as a risk factor, check out Dr. Tom Joiner's Why People Die By Suicide (this book is intense, so proceed with caution)
The Pain of Social Rejection, Dr. Kipling Williams, the experiment that replicates being excluded from a game that suggests that social rejection activates the same neurological response as physical pain https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/04/rejection
Bennison Gives https://www.bennisongives.com/ If you need to buy baby clothes for a great cause!

The Mattering Movement
The Mattering Movement provides powerful tools to help parents, students, and teachers untangle self-worth from achievement: it is called mattering.
The Mattering Movement
Home | Jonathan Kozol
Jonathan Kozol
Public Service
Bennison

In this conversation, Debbie and Lindsay discuss the importance of executive functioning skills in students and how these skills impact learning and achievement. They explore various cognitive processes that make up executive functioning, the role of emotions, and the significance of naming these skills for better understanding. The discussion also highlights the parent-child dynamic in learning, the need for structure and routines, and the importance of curiosity in overcoming barriers to learning. They emphasize that coaching and explicit instruction can help students develop these essential life skills, ultimately leading to greater academic success and personal growth.

The Study Pro : https://thestudypro.com/

Steve's books on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/s?k=steven+feifer+books&hvadid=776839258289&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9007767&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=8788978197982880536--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8788978197982880536&hvtargid=kwd-1651058349565&hydadcr=2289_13793056&mcid=db2df93a69713d45a2b559c10525e614&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_7s4l19r0od_e

Continuing education courses by Steve https://partalks.parinc.com/b/sp/steven-feifer-20

Great things we mentioned:
The International Dyslexia Association https://dyslexiaida.org/
Learning Disabilities Association https://ldaamerica.org/
Henry Winkler talks dyslexia and about his children's book series https://www.readingrockets.org/people-and-organizations/henry-winkler https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/henry-winkler-interview-2023/
Decoding Dyslexia's guide to Starting a Grassroots Movement for universal dyslexia screenings chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.decodingdyslexia.net/wp-content/uploads/How-to-Guide-to-Start-Grassroots-Movement-for-Dyslexia.pdf
The Lab School https://www.labschool.org/
The Siena School https://www.thesienaschool.org/
Landmark College https://www.landmark.edu/