Educators As First Responders

Educators as First Responders is a comprehensive, hands-on guide to adolescent development and mental health for teachers and other educators of students in grades 6-12. Today’s schools are at the forefront of supporting adolescents with increasingly complex, challenging psychosocial needs. Moreover, students are more likely to seek out a trusted teacher, advisor, or coach for support than to confide directly in a parent or even a school counselor. Succinct and accessible, this book provides tips and strategies that teachers, coaches, nurses, counselors, and other school professionals can put into immediate use with students in varying degrees of distress. These evidence-based practices and real-world classroom examples will help you understand the “whole student,” a developing individual shaped not just by parental pressure or psychiatric diagnosis but by school and broader cultural and systemic forces.

"From the growing presence and influence of technology to such issues as bullying and equality, this book has been designed to address and demystify the laws that greatly affect today's classroom teachers."--

Research indicates that approximately one in ten young people experience mental health challenges that are severe enough to impair how they function at school, at home, or in the community. One in every six students experience a clinical mental health disorder during their elementary or secondary school years. Although schools have always had to address mental health issues that affect a student’s learning and achievement, the statistics—and what teachers know from personal experience on the front lines—indicate an urgent need for a stronger and more consistent response to this growing crisis. The manifestations of mental health issues in children and adolescents are often most visible when they are under stress and/or when they are engaged in social situations. That puts teachers in a unique position to observe the warning signs of emotional distress and mental health problems in students. They are often the first to recognize that something might be wrong, and as such are “first responders” in the process of early identification, response, and referral of students experiencing mental health issues. Research shows that early detection and treatment can significantly improve resiliency and the ability to succeed in school and in life. This quick-reference laminated guide will help teachers: Be aware of common mental heath disorders and concerns; Recognize the warning signs that may indicate a potential mental health problem; Understand the issues affecting students’ mental health; Know when and how to refer students to the appropriate mental health staff; Support students in need; Interact with students in crisis; Cultivate a classroom climate conducive to good mental health. It also recommends proactive schoolwide initiatives for creating a learning environment that is emotionally supportive and promotes good mental heath.

The fifth edition of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Advancing Positive Practices in Education provides readers with a comprehensive and accessible understanding of current research and evidence-based practices in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), linking research, theory, and practice. This new edition includes new chapters on trauma and co-morbidity, current trends in autism research, social media, neurodiversity, and aging in people with ASD. It also features updated content on international contexts and culturally sustaining and relevant practices. Aligned with DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, this text continues to be critical reading for students and researchers in special and inclusive education programs.

Fire and Life Safety Educator: Principles and Practice, Second Edition Includes Navigate 2 Advantage Access, meets the objectives of NFPA 1035 (2015) for FLSE Levels I, II, III, Public Information Officer, Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist, and Youth Firesetter Program Manager. It is written for practitioners, managers, and supervisors, as well as for those who are new to the FLSE field, covering fire behavior and prevention, code compliance, community risk reduction, risk assessment, and working with the public. Based solidly on research and proven tactics, it describes community outreach methods, how to effectively teach fire and life safety, and how to market prevention and preparedness messages to all age groups. In-depth instruction advises on developing fire and life safety curricula, objectives, lesson plans, and presentations. This second edition covers all aspects of designing, budgeting for, and managing a fire and life safety program; public relations and persuasion tactics; legal considerations; and best professional practices. The importance of program evaluation and how to conduct evaluation is explained. New chapters are included to address the public information officer role and specific responsibilities, Youth Firesetter intervention strategies, and Youth Firesetter program implementation.

Mike Rubin’s conversational style and self-deprecating humor appeal to healthcare providers and patients, educators and students, employers, and employees. Whether you’re a rescuer or you aspire to be, you’ll find entertainment, advice, and encouragement in Life Support.

Despite limitations and challenges, teaching about difficult histories is an essential aspect of social studies courses and units across grade levels. This practical resource highlights stories of K-12 practitioners who have critically examined and reflected on their experiences with planning and teaching histories identified as difficult. Featuring the voices of teacher educators, classroom teachers, and museum educators, these stories provide readers with rare examples of how to plan for, teach, and reflect on difficult histories. The book is divided into four main sections: Centering Difficult History Content, Centering Teacher and Student Identities, Centering Local and Contemporary Contexts, and Centering Teacher Decision-making. Key topics include teaching about genocide, slavery, immigration, war, racial violence, and terrorism. This dynamic book highlights the practitioner's perspective to reveal how teachers can and do think critically about their motivations and the methods they use to engage students in rigorous, complex, and appropriate studies of the past. Book Features: Expanded notions of what difficult histories can be and how they can be approached pedagogically. Thoughtful pictures of practice of some of the most complex histories to teach. Stories of K-12 teachers and museum educators with the research of leading scholars in social studies education. Examples from a wide range of educational contexts in the United States and other countries. Resources useful to teachers and teacher educators.

The tragedy that occurred in the United States on September 11, 2001 brought enhanced emergency preparedness among first responders to the forefront of public awareness. Since those events and despite significant progress made in many of the areas previously deemed deficient some response areas are still woefully inadequate. Cross-Training for