The Goddard Education Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for teachers to think creatively to benefit their students' academic and social-emotional skills. Oak Street Elementary counselor Mrs. Buresh, sought to implement new techniques to teach students positive self-awareness strategies.

Manipulatives such as sand timers, scented markers, and stress-relieving fidgets are incorporated into a previous initiative called Calm Down Tiger Tubs. Mrs. Buresh explains, “By having these tools available for our students, they can begin their journey towards finding positive strategies that allow them to be in a ready state to learn.” Teaching students how to approach situations that may influence their emotions strengthens their social skills throughout their educational and professional lives.

Joyce, a first-grade student at Oak Streek Elementary, shared “I sometimes need to take a little brain break, and my teacher helps schedule breaks so I can be ready to learn.” These materials are intentionally used in classrooms to help students understand how to manage their self-awareness and how to self-regulate their emotions. Mrs. Buresh describes, “Helping students learn social-emotional skills is the foundation for 21st-century learning skills that employers desire graduates to have.” In the preliminary stages of a child’s education journey, understanding positive approaches to handling stress will benefit them for years to come.

Learning how to manage emotions with positive calming practices is essential for future success. Mrs. Buresh explains, “It equips them with the skills they need and the time to practice them so they can become caring and productive members of our community.” The Goddard Education Foundation is proud to support these initiatives to foster student success through Innovative Teacher Grants.

Oak Street Elementary Teacher Grants

INSPIRING MINDS & EXPANDING POSSIBILITIESFOR OAK STREET ELEMENTARY

2020 Nathan Lind- PE Teacher

2020 Renee Richards- Structured Learning Teacher

2021 Jackie Chambers- Music Teacher

2022 Hallie Rausch - 3rd Grade Teacher

2022 Jackie Chambers - Music Teacher

2023 Joey Buresh - Counselor