Teach to Heal December 2025: Clear Lake: 8:00 am - 3:30 pmTeach to Heal: Systemic Approach to Support Mental Health in Our Schools 3-Day Series December 15-16, 2025 & January 14, 2026 Clear Lake Sponsored by: Iowa State Education Association & Iowa ASCD What & Why - Teach to Heal
We know that the mental health of our students is at the top of our lists as educators. We know their needs are increasingly complex and we know our staff are increasingly exhausted. We cannot continue to attempt to meet the needs of our students the way we have in the past hoping for a different result. Our systems are built to get the results they are getting... and it is time for a paradigm shift. Join Danielle Theis, mental health and trauma expert, as she guides us toward a road map for change. Systemic change that aligns to the reality of what works for the people we serve. Systems must align to how people function and what truly supports them to move forward. If you choose to be an educator, you choose to support vulnerable children... our staff must be given the proper systemic support to do so. This work must be led by champions who understand how to best meet the needs of our children through the adults that serve them. The initial adjustments always come through the adults... children are just bringing what their life experiences have taught them... enter a solution focused discussion regarding how to build that system together. Who should attend: School Leadership Teams including administrators, school counselors, behavioral interventionists, at-risk staff, mental health staff, social workers, school psychologists, teachers, health workers, community liaisons. Day 1 & 2: The WHY, the WHO, and the HOUSE Participants will explore the impact of varying factors on the mental health of our students. The WHY of the work will be outlined as a strong foundation which will serve as a platform for the remainder of the series. School culture, and corresponding adult beliefs and attitudes, will be outlined as imperative forces on effective education systems for WHO we serve. Participants will identify and discuss the components working for, and against, their systems and develop a plan for moving forward as a united front. Teams will walk away with applicable tools that have the capacity to change the trajectory of their system and who they serve in the HOUSE we call school. Day 3: Setting the Interdependent Table Participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences following application of day one and two. Successes and barriers will be discussed with a focus on solutions. Clear role definition will be outlined as an imperative component of the Teach to Heal work. Teams will be introduced to Life Space Crisis Intervention as a highly effective strategy for children who struggle with maladaptive patterns and dysregulation. Teams will leave with an understanding of how to introduce and support this intervention modality within the structure and culture of a healthy "house.” Facilitated by Danielle Theis, National Consultant on Mental Health and Trauma-Responsive School including and Life Space Crisis Intervention National Trainer (teachtoheal.org) Danielle provides consultation and training to support children experiencing mental health and behavioral challenges, and the adults who serve them, in our schools and communities. Where: Clear Lake, exact location TBD Food: Afternoon snack provided. Lunch on your own. Daily Schedule: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm in session -- 8:00 am Check-in -- 8:30 am – 3:30 pm in session Registration https://iowaascd.org/events/register-now
Need help with registration: contact Becky Martin rjmartin@mchsi.com If registration numbers do not meet the minimum enrollment, the registration will be cancelled and refunded. Please send the PO information to: Email the PO to: Sara Oswald at soswald@west-branch.k12.ia.us OR US Mail to: Iowa ASCD, Attn: Sara Oswald, 1425 290th St. Tipton, IA 52772 We look forward to learning with you! Stan Newton snewton@ghvschools.org Colleen Heinz, ISEA Teaching & Learning Specialist, Colleen.Heinz@isea.org Registration/Cancellation Questions: Contact Becky Martin rjmartin@mchsi.com 319-533-8050 |