Dove Self-Esteem Project

By Antionette Meeks of Cairn Guidance, a Dove Self-Esteem Project Partner I loved to teach. I loved to see my students learn. I enjoyed seeing their faces light up and their eyes sparkle when they would grasp a new concept, share an opinion, or participate in small or large group activities. I celebrated with them as they enthusiastically shared about an event or accomplishment outside of school. When we laughed together, it could be quite the bonding moment. When they suffered a personal Read ▸ about Why I Became an Educator

By Antionette Meeks of Cairn Guidance, a Dove Self-Esteem Project Partner As a child, once school ended, it seemed like June was a long month and there were endless things to do. The freedom to do them at will felt good. Then July sped by and August felt like summer was over in the blink of an eye. Slowly, the excitement of returning to school built inside. Welcome to the 2023-24 school year! For some students the 2023-24 school year began the first week in August, for others it may be Read ▸ about School Days, Here for Some, Around the Corner for Others

The 2023 DSEP Cadre Trainer Retreat By Antionette Meeks of Cairn Guidance, a Dove Self-Esteem Project Partner Flight delays, flight cancelations, personal and family emergencies impacted this year’s Dove Self-Esteem Project (DSEP) Cadre Trainer Retreat (Retreat). We were a bit smaller in size because of the flight cancelations and emergencies, but still purposeful. The Retreat seems to always recharge the cadre trainers, helping them become stronger advocates for the building of Read ▸ about Unleashing Greatness: A Journey to Body Confidence

By Antionette Meeks of Cairn Guidance, a Dove Self-Esteem Project Partner I have often sung the only line I know from the song, “Summertime and the livin’ is easy”. It was written in 1935. I can’t say I was around for it or even know the history of it, other than it was part of a renown, for its era, stage play and has been sung by Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Janis Joplin, and Billie Stewart – at least, that’s what I read. More importantly, that George Gershwin melody Read ▸ about Summertime and the Living is Easy

By Antionette Meeks of Cairn Guidance, a Dove Self-Esteem Project Partner Acceptance is a simple and powerful ten letter word. Acceptance opens the door for each student to be themselves and experience all that their classroom and school offer them. As educators, we do not fully know the life stories of our charges, neither do they know ours. Sometimes, a school is the only safe space, and the smiling face of the educator is the one thing they need to get their school day started on a Read ▸ about Acceptance; A Simple Word with Lots of Meaning

Greetings and salutations! I’m Brittany Echols and I’m waving to you all from Waldorf, Maryland! Umm let’s see, where do I start…well I’m the newly hired Health Education Curriculum Manager and while I’ve always loved health education, I didn’t have a linear path into the profession.  As a military child, I spent most of my formative years growing up outside of the Nation’s Capital. From the time I was in middle school I told myself, I would never go into the family business—education, Read ▸ about Brittany Echols, Health Education Curriculum Manager

By Antionette Meeks of Cairn Guidance, a Dove Self-Esteem Project Partner The Dove Self-Esteem Project (DSEP) has reached more than 82 million young people worldwide. Educators provide the instruction and DSEP cadre trainers (cadre), by in large, introduce DSEP to educators across the United States. Each year, the cadre come together to refresh, refocus, and reorient themselves on how to best share DSEP updates and new associated educational resources with educators. This year, cadre Read ▸ about DSEP Cadre Trainers “Connected the Dots” at Their 2022 Retreat

By Antionette Meeks of Cairn Guidance, a Dove Self-Esteem Project Partner It’s a new school year!  After overcoming the fact they must rise early once again, many students will jump out of bed excited for the drive, bike, walk or bus ride to school. Ready for the first day of school! Many will have on new or new to them clothing and come armed with supplies provided by caring adults. There is excitement as they think of the classmates they have not seen since school ended and special Read ▸ about Readied, Renewed, Recharged for A New School Year