The RD program is designed to build an inclusive learning community. The activities in the program help students develop a positive self-concept and respect for others, reduce challenging behavior, and create learning teams that support diverse learners.

"The role of SEL in my classroom completely changed some of my students reactions to the classroom… risk-taking is at an all time high and new, perhaps unlikely friendships have occurred. I think it is almost magical to watch some students, who have always been very shy, quiet, or “weak” come out of their shells and blossom into class leaders."

"The Brain Unit consists of seven lesson. As with the Respecting Diversity (RD) Program, the brain unit lessons can be extended into great depth, or can be completed in a workshop format. The intention is to help all students develop the following:

• an understanding of how the brain works

• a personal definition of well-being, and strategies for maintaining it

• an understanding of mental illness, respect and compassion for those who live with illness, and the ability to be a friend to someone with a mental illness

• the ability to recognize signs of mental illness within oneself and know how to get help

-pg. 112 Ensouling Our Schools

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

"The word therapy can give us pause, because teachers are not therapists. However, we are not doing the therapeutic parts of this program . We are only engaging with the preventative parts of the program."

- Pg. 136 , Ensouling Our Schools