The Schools We Need Now

Dr. Timothy Dohrer has been a classroom teacher, administrator, and consultant for over 30 years in K12 schools and higher education. He was a teacher and Principal at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, a school of 4,000 students and staff. He has also served as a Director and Assistant Professor at Northwestern University and Northern Illinois University, and an adjunct instructor at Pennsylvania State University and Northeastern Illinois University. Tim continues to serve on a variety of boards and regularly consults with schools in and around Chicago and Illinois. Tim′s major areas of research include social & emotional learning, school climate, curriculum theory, teacher education, and leadership. He has B.A.′s in English and Journalism from Indiana University, an M.A. in English from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Pennsylvania State University.   Dr. Thomas Golebiewski is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He has worked in schools for 40 years, including 26 years as Department Chair of Social Work at New Trier High School in Winnetka, IL. Tom has served as an adjunct professor at University of Chicago′s School of Social Service Administration, Northwestern University′s School of Education and Social Policy, and currently at Loyola University of Chicago School of Social Work, where he is also Internship Liaison. He has a private practice in psychotherapy, counseling, and consultation in Wilmette, IL and is currently a consultant at Wolcott College Prep, an independent school in Chicago. Tom also volunteers as a Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Responder and has been a board member at A Safe Place, Lake County, IL and the Mental Health Association of the North Shore. He is a state appointed committee member of the Illinois Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission and the Lake County Family Violence Coordinating Council. He is on the program steering committee and is a regular presenter for the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute annual conference that addresses mental health. Dr. Golebiewski received his B.A. and M.S.W. from Loyola University in Chicago and his Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work from The Institute for Clinical Social Work in Chicago.

Chapter 1: The Need for Mentally Healthy Schools
Why is Mental Health important in schools?
Creating a Mental Health Action Plan
Overview of the Book and your Plan
A Call to Action
Creating Your Mental Health Action Plan: A Template
Chapter 2: Mental Health and Mental Models
Mental Model: A Developmental Model for the Whole Child
Mental Model: A Whole-School Systems Thinking Approach
Mental Model: A Culture of Caring
Mental Model: A Continuum of Care
Mental Model: Thinking Differently about Mental Health
Mental Model: A Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Approach to Mental Health
Conclusion: Mental Models as the Foundation of your Action Plan
Chapter 3: Tier 1 Mental Health: Universal Supports for All
Tier 1: What do we mean by “universal”?
Tier 1 as Prevention and Early Intervention
Universal Challenges to Everyone
Safety First: “Maslow before you Bloom”
Stigma and stereotypes
Disconnection from Relationships and Community
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Tier 1 Interventions
Social and Emotional Learning
Physical Learning and Wellness
Academic and Cognitive Learning
Chapter 4: Tier 2 Issues and interventions for students, teachers, and parents…and schools!
Tier 1 and Tier 2 Screeners: Building an Early Detection System
Internalized behaviors: Stress, Anxiety, and Trauma
Impact of Stress
School Refusal
The Window of Tolerance
Related Tier 2 Issues: Loneliness, Isolation, Grief, and Loss
Tier II Interventions and Strategies
Knowing the Signs of Distress
Mindfulness in Schools
Student Behavior and Discipline: A Shift to Restorative Practices
Peer helping, Mediation, Mentoring, and Tutoring
Anti-Bullying Programs
Parent/Family education, programs, and engagement
Chapter 5: Tier 3: Supporting Students and Staff with the Greatest Needs
Defining Tier 3 and how it connects to Tier 1 and 2
Defining Mental Illness
Comorbidity
Anxiety and Depression
Substance Use
Disordered Eating
Focus on Self-Harm
Suicidal Ideation
Suicide Intervention
Focus on Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Childhood trauma
Equity and Mental Illness
Focus on Neurodiversity
Tier 3 Prevention and Intervention
School Staff Expertise and Training
Parent and Family Support
Community organizations and resources
Crisis Response
Chapter 6: Integrating the Mental Health Action Plan in Your School
Begin with Belonging
Rethinking the Organization of a School
Rethinking the Physical Building
Rethinking Technology and Mental Health
Rethinking Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Rethinking Teachers and Instruction
Rethinking Assessment
Rethinking Transitions
Rethinking After School Activities
Rethinking School Context and Community Assets
Implementing a Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan
A School that is Changing the Game: Wolcott College Prep
Conclusion
Appendix A: Mental Health Action Plan Template