Increase Resiliency, Motivation, and Success with the Science of Hope

Audience Level: 
All
Institutional Level: 
K-12
Special Session: 
Research
Diversity & Inclusion
Abstract: 

Discover how to unlock the power of hope in the classroom! Join our interactive session to learn how to scientifically measure and raise psychological hope levels, combat trauma, and drive achievement. Leave with practical tools to interweave hope into your teaching and transform student outcomes using the science of hope.

Extended Abstract: 

In October 2021, The American Academy of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital Association, and The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry declared a national state of emergency due to declines in child and adolescent mental health related to the pandemic. This national state of emergency is still in effect and has not been lifted. The current mental health crisis has driven many teachers to leave the profession while students struggle with engagement and anxiety. Trauma-informed coping mechanisms are helpful, but this session goes a step further by incorporating much-needed but often missing psychological support to help learners feel hopeful . Hope is not simply an emotion. Hope is a science. According to current psychological research, hope is one of the most robust predictors of GPA, future academic attainment, and overall resiliency. Measuring and raising hope levels can combat the effects of trauma and adverse childhood experiences, build motivation, drive achievement, and support psychological equity in the classroom.

Based on research using the psychological science of hope, this session provides tools, strategies, and techniques educators can use to help students feel secure, build relationships, and improve academic outcomes. Included are actions and interventions that can be woven into classrooms and schools to foster mental wellness, achievement, and happiness for every person, such as:

  • Classroom materials, tools, and reproducible

  • Scientific resources to quickly assess and monitor hope

  • Simple plans of action to support hope, engagement, and motivation 

  • Make-it take-it resources

Level of Participation:

This session is structured as a collaborative discovery session in which each participant will work with groups of educators to explore the research of hope, measure their own hope, practice strategies to raise hope, and learn how the science of hope can help schools improve academic success for all kids regardless of a students background or socioeconomic status. Participants will create tools, resources, and a plan of action to implement hope into their work immediately. Lastly, groups will discuss current problems and obstacles they face in various roles. Using the new tools and knowledge on the science of hope, each participant will leave with a list of new pathways to solve the barriers they face. 

Session Goals:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Recognize the critical role that psychological hope plays in learning, well-being, motivation, and self-control.
  • Develop a plan to measure and improve student hope levels. 
  • Evaluate your classroom and schools culture to design systems that support hope.
  • Learn how to analyze hope scores to implement a psychological multi-tiered system of support for students

 

 

Conference Track: 
Access, Equity, and Open Education
Session Type: 
Workshop
Intended Audience: 
All Attendees