Testimonials

From Students:

When using scales... I think more than anything, …, it went from a teacher to student relationship to a friend to friend relationship. It was no longer like, ohhh she’s a teacher, Ms. Cantu does it out of her kindness that is in her soul.  ~Jessica, 10th grader

I believe like when you haven’t been through the same thing that your friend or whoever is going through it’s very difficult to know what to say next or to just listen to them, so I like using the scales. ~Irene, 10th grader

From anonymous survey of high school students in an At-Risk program when asked what they like about using the scales as part of social and emotional learning: (copied "as is'' from their survey form--no comments were excluded.)

I like how it makes me evaluate and think about my emotional state as well as where I am.

Takes my mind off of what I gotta do.

Just taking a little bit of time to see how I am doing, or to calm myself down when I am not doing the greatest

i get to understand and know what exactly what i am thinking

I like that I was able to customize my own scale, it is easier to reflect if it is something I can relate to.

Not much.

i really dont know

i write my feelings

they're a little fun thing to do while we start off the week

I can show emotions without saying it

It gives me a good start to my day

I like how scales helps me figure out how I am really feeling.

It helps me place where my emotions are.

you can understand different parts of you mental health

It kinda helps me realize my emotional state, and overall its helped me a lot so far

It makes me think for a couple of minutes.

its something to do and helps you realize your mental state

That there is a way to express my feelings

Just so I can write how I feel

I get to make anime themed scales

From Educators & Practitioners:

I used Mindful Steps Scales with my High School At-risk Students with great results during our Mindful Mondays exercises. Students who often have difficulty identifying and expressing their emotions found these scales to be an effective tool to realize "where" they are emotionally and why they are there. Students enjoyed making their own personalized scales after working with the Mindful Steps Scales. A number of students told me they used the scales at home to help them deal with their emotions when not at school. Some of the most guarded/withdrawn students were able to express themselves emotionally for the first time. ~Bruce B. 

As a counselor and a parent, I have tried the scales with middle and high school students.  I like the pictures which automatically pull the kids in and are so easy to understand.  I have used the scales when having serious conversations with students about grief and loss while I have also used the scales to check in with my own kids for casual conversations about their thoughts during the Covid 19 online learning. I would strongly encourage you to have these ready in your educator toolbox. ~Marcia Fall

As an Instructional Coach, who is also a huge advocate for Social and Emotional Learning - I have shared the idea of these scales with teachers who are looking for a way to help students pause and reflect on where they are at before, during and after learning.  We know if a student does not feel okay, they will struggle to learn.  When they can pause, and identify - it helps them own their feelings and possibly feel more in control and ready to move forward.  ~Melanie H.

I am a School Counselor and have used Mindful Steps in several different ways with both adults and children. They were very helpful when meeting with my small groups or one on one check-ins during Distance Learning. The visuals were fun and the students enjoyed answering the question "Where are you today?" or "How do you feel today?" I was also able to use the scales in a Webinar I presented to the parents in our community. Parents enjoyed identifying where they were as "home educators", where they wanted to be, and what they needed to do to get there. I believe that Mindful Steps promote self-expression and self-awareness with my students while simultaneously removing any shame or embarrassment that may be associated with naming a feeling. ~Misty M.

"Where are you?" has become such an important question for students and educators alike as we attempt to navigate distance learning and all of the accompanying uncertainties and emotions. These clear, visual scales were very effective check-in tools to use with my upper elementary students to gauge their overall social-emotional state at the beginning of a class. They can also be used to obtain feedback about the understanding of new content.  ~Fiona M.

I used the scales to connect with high school students across the globe in an online class. The scales are powerful conversation starters and relationship builders. Students felt more connected to each other, and I felt more connected to them. It allowed me to get beyond the superficial and stop beginning classes with the most meaningless social convention: "how are you?" ~Elizabeth S.

We used the scales and they were amazing! I used them during weekly optional zoom meetings with students. They supported all students. I had a student who is learning to speak English and it was a fantastic way for her to be able to participate without a language barrier. I thought that since we are all going through this pandemic together that students would only talk about negative emotions, but the scales really provided support for students to talk about any range of emotions they were experiencing not influenced by my personal bias, which helped me listen that much better. I asked my students who participated how they liked the scales, and they said they loved them. They usually felt uncomfortable talking about any feelings or emotions, but the scales make them feel much more comfortable, especially when everyone was using them.  ~Maddy T.

I can clearly see why, as a professional, I need to share this with my clients as well as seeing that I as a grieving person can use it as well.” Barbara Rubel, (nationally recognized author, keynote speaker, and trainer)

They really enjoy the pictures scales. They are now asking where they are if I don’t have them out.” ~Ginny P., School Counselor, Grief Group Leader

From Adults Experiencing Grief and/or Adversity:

When days do not go as smoothly as one would like, it’s not always easy to express how you are feeling -- both good and sad. Having a sliding scale to more accurately give an answer makes it easier -- and can be fun also. It has truly helped me. ~Dianne N., Grieving Jim, her husband of 64 years. 

“With Mary reaching out to me using her creative disposition scales, it encouraged me to respond with more than just "okay." It was always comforting to hear from her and the perfect way for one to express "I know you are in pain with relentless grief, I love you and am here if you need me." It helped me for many months as grief tends to be a solitary personalized abyss.” ~Linda B., Don’s mom

“The most beneficial aspect of the daily scales for me is the fact that they really make me think about how I am feeling at that very moment. Knowing I would get new scales each day gave me something to look forward to during the dark, gloomy grieving days.” ~Kari M., Don’s sister and grieving granddaughter

“Sometimes when you are struggling, you tire of talking and rehashing the pain time and time again. Using a scale brings simplicity and with that clarity -- the ability to express, share, let someone in without the burden of the explanation.” ~Melanie H., Dealing with adversity

“The scales have allowed me to acknowledge my feelings and to know it is okay to not let the grief consume me. Some days are bright and sunny and I’m thankful for all we have had, and others I want to cry my eyes out.” ~Diane K., Experiencing anticipatory grief for her husband John who is afflicted with dementia.